Airwars assessment
The US military carried out an airstrike targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, according to a press release from AFRICOM.
The strike killed 13 fighters from ISIS-Somalia, in what was the third recent declared strike against ISIS. AFRICOM said it currently assessed that no civilians were harmed.
The statement further noted: “We are supporting our Somali and AMISOM partners with increased, mature intelligence sharing. There is a deliberate campaign underway, that is intelligence-driven, that capitalizes on what we learn during each operation and rapidly leveraging that information to drive the next operation, including discovering where terrorists may be training, massing, and preparing to commit atrocities.”
Local journalist Abdi Rahman Adani tweeted that the strike took place in the “vicinity of Ameyra village on Golis mountains in Bari region of #Puntland state.”
LATEST | In statement, #US military claims killing of 13 jihadists from Daesh faction in #Somalia in fresh airstrike at the vicinity of Ameyra village on Golis mountains in Bari region of #Puntland state, on Tuesday 8 May. pic.twitter.com/gGiVh3O2Jz
— Abdi Rahman Adani (@abdi_adaani) May 9, 2019
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (7) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]
Reports of the incident mention that the strike targeted an ISIS-Somalia encampment near the remote village of Ameyra, 150 km south of Bosaso. A source unrelated to this incident (https://www.voanews.com/africa/villagers-us-drone-strike-somalia-kills-frankincense-collectors) reports that Ameyra is located close to the village Timirshe, however, due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the precise location of Ameyra. The coordinates for Timirshe are: 10.56245, 50.42396.
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
Somali Forces & U.S. Africa Command Conduct Airstrike Targeting ISIS-Somalia
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade violent extremist organizations, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, Somalia, on May 8, 2019.
By U.S. AFRICA COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, United States Africa CommandStuttgart, GermanyMay 09, 2019
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade violent extremist organizations, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an ISIS-Somalia encampment in the Golis Mountains, Somalia, on May 8, 2019.
"We are supporting our Somali and AMISOM partners with increased, mature intelligence sharing," said Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence. "There is a deliberate campaign underway, that is intelligence-driven, that capitalizes on what we learn during each operation and rapidly leveraging that information to drive the next operation, including discovering where terrorists may be training, massing, and preparing to commit atrocities."
U.S. Africa Command precision airstrikes support Somali security force activities and build enhanced security conditions to allow time and space for governance and economic development to occur.
At this time, it is assessed the airstrike on May 8 killed thirteen (13) terrorists. A detailed post-strike analysis continues and more details may be released as appropriate.
Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike. Our process and procedures allow for additional information to inform post-strike analysis.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from AMISOM to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States. In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM, and Somali National Army forces.