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.
Summary
Sources (6) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]
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.
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
"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."