Conflict

U.S. Forces in Somalia

Incident Code

USSOM124

Location

جيليب, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.494527, 42.777868
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: SOM092)

AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had “conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Somalia, the afternoon of April 5”.

It added: “We assess no civilians were killed in this airstrike.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike killed “three (3) terrorists” and destroyed “one (1) vehicle with a mounted heavy machine gun.”

In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM again confirmed it had struck on this date what it says were “al Shabaab fighters”, in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Declared strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military actors reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of Jilib, for which the coordinates are: 0.494527, 42.777868. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

U.S. Forces Assessment
Known belligerent
U.S. Forces
U.S. Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
U.S. Forces Strike Report
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 near Jilib, Somalia, the afternoon of April 5, killing three (3) terrorists and destroying one (1) vehicle with a mounted heavy machine gun. We assess no civilians were killed in this airstrike. U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. 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.

Media from Sources (1)