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Incident Code
Location
Geolocation
Geolocation
Airwars Assessment
(Previous Incident Code: SOM165)
The US military conducted a fresh airstrike on so-called Islamic State in Somaliland, reporting the next day that they had killed one senior member of the terrorist group in the Golis Mountains region.
“At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist who played a key role in facilitation for the group, asserted AFRICOM. “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.”
“Airstrikes like these remain an effective tool in the counter-terrorist campaign against ISIS and al-Shabaab,” added US Air Force Brig. Gen. William West, deputy director of operations in a press release.
Air Force Times later noted the following: “In an email Monday, Col. Chris Karns, a spokesman for United States Africa Command, said that a July 27 airstrike in Somalia brought the total number of airstrikes in the African nation to 47, the same as 2018′s total. ‘The 47 for 2019 are all in support of the Federal Government of Somalia,” Karns said. “It is imperative that pressure is maintained on violent extremist organizations to create conditions for further political and economic development in Africa.'”
Key Information
Geolocation Notes
In its own public reporting of airstrikes in northern Somalia, AFRICOM tends to cite only ‘the vicinity of the Golis Mountains’ – instead of the nearest settlement usually provided for elsewhere. The Golis Mountains extend from the border with Ethiopia into Somaliland, and then eastwards to Puntland. Given that both ISIS and Al Shabaab are reportedly present more in Puntland, or on the Puntland/Somaliland borders, it is likely this strike took place in that region. In this respect, and in combining the information available from sources of alleged militant activity in the South-west and South-east of Bosaso, and several mentions of Galgala, we have chosen a generic middle point, for which the coordinates are: 11.060894, 49.184169. Due to limited satellite imagery, and public reporting available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Combining the information available from sources of alleged militant activity in the South-west and South-east of Bosaso, and several mentions of Galgala, we have chosen a generic middle point.
Imagery: Google Earth
Military Statements
Media From Sources (4)
US military says Saturday’s airstrike in Golis Mountains, NE Somalia killed an ISIS militant. (Somali Govt media reported it first but said the strike targeted Al-Shabaab) https://t.co/uwheLzEE34
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) July 28, 2019