Airwars assessment
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had “conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2018, approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital [Mogadishu]”.
It added: “We assess no civilians were killed in this strike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed “two terrorists” and destroyed “one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device”. Somalia Live claimed the strike had also targeted an al Shabaab commander.
#UPDATE: An air strike targets a vehicle believed to carried AlShabaab commander in Bariire town in Lower Shabeelle region. #Somalia
— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) January 2, 2018
In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM confirmed it had struck what it says were “al-Shabaab Fighters and VBIED”, in the vicinity of Bariire, Somalia.
This was the second strike in a week in which US Africa Command said it had hit a VBIED.
The incident occured in the morning.
Summary
Sources (6) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the area 50 kilometers west of Mogadishu, near the village of Bariire, for which the coordinates are: 2.04707, 44.89832. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
US Forces Assessment:
Civilian casualty statements
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"We assess no civilians were killed in this strike."
Original strike reports
U.S. Conducts Airstrike in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the early morning hours of Jan. 2, 2018, approximately 50 kilometers west of the capital, killing two terrorists and destroying one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu.
We assess no civilians were killed in this strike.
U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect the United States, its partners and interests, and deny safe haven to terrorist groups. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region.
Together with other international partners, the United States is committed to providing Somalia, AMISOM and SNSF with support in the fight against violent extremist organizations.