Incident Code

USSOM156-C

Location

Radio Andalus, Jilib, Middle Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.494527, 42.777868
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: SOM111b)

Airstrikes by an unknown party destroyed part of an al-Andalus radio station in Jilib – a propaganda service run by the terror group al Shabaab. At least one person described as a journalist was reported injured or killed.

According to Middle East Monitor, “An air strike; believed to be American, has destroyed the Al-Andalus radio station; the main media platform for Somalia’s al-Shabab group in the city of Jilib in Middle Juba region, south of the country. The radio station broadcasts daily news about the attacks carried out by the rebels against government sites.

“Somalia’s Sonna news agency quoted security sources as saying that the city of Jilib witnessed last night air raids against various locations where the fighters were stationed. The sources said the radio station was one of the target sites, adding that the station’s headquarters was completely destroyed, and all those who were inside were killed.”

Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf also noted the event, though said he was unsure of the date of the alleged attack: “Al-Shabaab’s Andalus radio station in Jilib town hit in airstrike, Somali Govt radio has reported. The station didn’t specify when the strike took place. Jilib is an Al-Shabaab stronghold in southern Somalia.”

US military officials publicly denied responsibility for the attack – though this left open the possibility of CIA involvement. The radio station was again targeted on January 20th 2019 by an unknown party – killing five more individuals described as al Shabaab journalists according to local reports.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
1

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted the Al Shabaab radio station Al Andalus in the town Jilib. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location of Radio Andalus. The coordinates for the town Jilib are: 0.494527, 42.777868.

Military Statements

U.S. Forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
U.S. Forces
U.S. Forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
Unknown Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Unknown
Unknown position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (3)