Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM201

Incident date

February 28, 2019

Location

Gal Hamurre, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

3.41321, 45.513191 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Pentagon carried out a February 28th airstrike in Somalia that killed 26 terrorists in the vicinity of Hiran, according to a press release from US Africa Command issued the following day. The attack marked the third US action in four days in the same area.

US Army Brig. Gen. Gregory Hadfield, US Africa Command deputy director of intelligence, asserted in a press release: “At this time, it is assessed this airstrike killed 26 terrorists. Also, at this time, it is assessed no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.”

The statement added that “Precision airstrikes such as this one maintain pressure on al-Shabaab and disrupt its planning cycle and degrade its ability to mass forces and coordinate attacks against the Somali people.”

Harun Maruf, a reporter with VOA, tweeted: “Local sources say the strike occurred in an area called Gal-Hamurre.”

According to Associated Press, “When asked why recent strikes have been deadlier, a spokeswoman said Somali and ‘partner forces continue to make incursions into territory formerly controlled by al-Shabab,’ giving them chances to collect more intelligence and develop targets.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place an area called Gal Hamurre, in the Hiiraan region. This most likely refers to the village Gumarrey, for which the coordinates are: 3.41321, 45.513191. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    26

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

"In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to weaken al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Hiran, Somalia, on February 28, 2019."

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Unknown
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    26

Sources (6) [ collapse]