Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM300

Incident date

April 2, 2020

Location

Bush Madina, Bay, Somalia

Geolocation

3.02558, 43.650749 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three Al Shabaab fighters were allegedly killed in a US airstrike near Bush Madina.

The AFRICOM press release said: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia, April 2.

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed three (3) terrorists. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”

The Somali Ministry of Information said: “On 02 April 2020, the FGS, in partnership with the US Africa Command, conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Bush Madina, Somalia. This precision airstrike killed three (3) AS terrorists and reduced one (1) compound.”

AFRICOM later provided details on a high-profile targeted allegedly killed in the strike: “U.S. Africa Command post-strike assessments confirm that one of the three terrorists killed in the command’s Apr. 2 precision airstrike was a long-standing, high-ranking leader in the al-Shabaab terrorist organization.

The terrorist, Yusuf Jiis, was one of the foundational members of the terrorist group and held many significant positions that facilitated al-Shabaab’s violent and harmful activities throughout East Africa.”

Garowe revealed details on another target: “According to multiple police sources, Yonis Sheikh Dahir was one of the three victims of Bush Madina raid, about 135 miles West of Mogadishu, where they had been coordinating Al-Shabaab activities.

Dahir, reports indicate, was a counterintelligence operative, and has been holding several high ranking positions within the Al-Shabaab, including the chief explosive commander in Southern Somalia.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the vicinity of Bush Madina village, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.02558, 43.650749. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (6) [ collapse]