Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM164

Incident date

November 30, 2018

Location

Geelway mountain, Mudug, Somalia

Geolocation

2.357851, 43.579698 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

AFRICOM reported that the previous day, it had “conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018”.

It said that there had been no civilian harm. However, AFRICOM claimed that the airstrike had killed “nine (9) militants”.

Voice of America reporter Harun Maruf provided a more detailed location. “Statement says strike location is near Lebed, but local sources say exact target is a mountain called Geelway. It’s the 37th strike by US in Somalia this year.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted the Geelway mountain (or Buur Gal Waay) between Dinsor and Burhakaba. Africom stated that the strike took place in Lebede, of which the location is unclear. The coordinates of the Geelway mountain are: 2.357851, 43.579698. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Geelway mountain/Buur Gal Waay

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    9

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US Forces

Al-Shabaab Forces Degraded by U.S., Federal Government of Somalia

To support the Federal Government of Somalia’s continued efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Lebede, Somalia on November 30, 2018.

We currently assess this airstrike killed nine (9) militants with no civilians involved.

U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with the Federal Government of Somalia, Africa Union Mission in Somalia and Somali National Army forces.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    9

Sources (5) [ collapse]