Airwars assessment
AFRICOM reported that the previous day it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile, Somalia on November 27, 2018”.
It added: “We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.” However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had “killed three (3) militants”. It added “This follows successful strikes in the area on Nov. 19 and 20”.
Voice of America provided significant additional detail: “Local sources told VOA Somali that the latest strike targeted al-Shabab vehicles. The sources say the vehicles belonged to Abdishakur Mohamed Mire, a junior al-Shabab military commander. There was no confirmation on whether Mire was traveling in one of the vehicles at the time.”
In a subsequent FOIA response obtained by journalist Joshua Eaton in May 2019, AFRICOM confirmed it had struck on this date what it says were “al Shabaab fighters”, in the vicinity of Debatschille, Somalia.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (4) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the vicinity of Quy Cad (or Caad/Aad), near Debatscile. The generic coordinates for Debatscile are: 5.172335, 48.123686. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to further verify the location.
United States Armed Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
Al-Shabaab Degraded by U.S., Federal Government of Somalia
To support the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Quy Cad near Debatscile, Somalia on November 27, 2018. This follows successful strikes in the area on Nov. 19 and 20.
We currently assess this airstrike killed three (3) militants.
We currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.
“We continue to work with Somali, AMISOM and other international partners to grow and develop Somali security forces. As part of that effort, we conduct precision strikes to foil terrorist plans, kill al-Shabaab terrorists and reduce the enemy’s freedom of maneuver. Strikes keep pressure on the al-Shabaab network and help provide Somali forces time and space to develop their independent capability to protect the people of Somalia. In contrast to al-Shabaab’s indiscriminate attacks on Somali civilians, AFRICOM goes to great lengths to protect the innocent when striking terrorist targets,” said Maj. Gen. Gregg P. Olson, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command.
U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with Federal Government of Somalia, Africa Union Mission in Somalia and Somali National Army forces.