Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM306

Incident date

April 9, 2020

Location

جيليب, Kobon, Lower Juba, Somalia

Geolocation

0.035812, 42.709063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten Al Shabaab members were reportedly killed by a US airstrike near Kobon.

AFRICOM stated in its press release: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force, near Kobon, Somalia, Apr. 9.

The command’s initial assessment concluded the Apr. 9 airstrike killed ten (10) terrorists and that the Apr. 10 airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.  U.S. Africa Command currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes.”

SONNA also confirmed the strike: “An additional strike was conducted April 10 targeting Al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia.It is assessed that the collective self-defense strike on April 9 killed ten (10) Al-Shabaab, terrorists and that the April 10 airstrike killed one (1) Al-Shabaab terrorist.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the vicinity of Kobon village, for which the generic coordinates are: 0.035812, 42.709063. 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
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US Forces

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense strike against al-Shabaab terrorists who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army Danab, and Jubaland Security Force, near Kobon, Somalia, Apr. 9.
The command also conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Apr. 10.
Somali security forces continue to lead operations alongside African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces to increase security and seize ground from al-Shabaab.
"Our assistance continues to build on the gains our partners are making," said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. "The SNA and African partners on the ground keep hitting al-Shabaab hard, and it's having an effect on the al-Shabaab terror network."
The command's initial assessment concluded the Apr. 9 airstrike killed ten (10) terrorists and that the Apr. 10 airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
U.S. Africa Command currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes.
U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means. It requires providing programs and opportunity for the Somali people.
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. Together with the partner and allied forces, U.S. Africa Command works on a daily basis to improve security conditions to enhance governance and economic development.
U.S. Africa Command continues to work with its Somali partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

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
  • Known target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10

Sources (4) [ collapse]