Geolocation
Airwars assessment
United States Africa Command declared its second airstrike of 2020, stating in a press release issued on the same day that it had killed two al Shabaab terrorists “in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow.”
SONNA, the official Somali agency, gave slightly more information on the action, stating that said the attack had taken place on the afternoon of January 16th, some 25km north of Kunya Barrow.
Xinhua quoted Somali government spokesman Ismael Mukhtar Omar as saying: “This strike and other recent battlefield successes show the FGS (Federal Government of Somalia) and its partners’ resolve in bringing to justice those who terrorize and exploit the citizens of Somalia and its East African brothers and sisters.”
The incident occured in the afternoon.
Summary
Sources (8) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention that the strike took place in the area 25 kilometres north of the village Kunya Barrow. The generic coordinates for this area are: 1.016844, 43.380542. Due to limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. conduct airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia, Jan. 16.
“Al-Shabaab presents a threat to America, the African people, and our international partners,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William Gayler, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. “They are a known terrorist affiliate of al-Qaeda, who continue to radicalize and actively recruit. Persistent pressure on the network helps prevent its broader spread.”
Initial assessment concluded the airstrike killed two (2) terrorists.
We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia 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 and Somali National Army forces.