Airwars assessment
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.'”
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (5) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]
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.
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS terroristsin the Golis Mountain region, Somalia, on July 27, 2019.
'Airstrikes like these remain an effective tool in the counter-terrorist campaign against ISIS and al-Shabab,' said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William West, deputy director of operations, U.S.
Africa Command. 'The Federal Government of Somalia and the United States will continue to disrupt terror organization operations and degrade their capabilities whenever possible.'
The Golis Mountains are a known area for terrorist activity.Precision airstrikes such as these support Somali security forces efforts to protect the Somali people from terrorism and support long-term security in the region.
At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed one (1) terrorist who played a key role in facilitation for the group.
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.