Geolocation
Airwars assessment
One senior Al Shabaab member was allegedly killed by US airstrike on Saakow.
AFRICOM said in its press release: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25.
The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.”
Morad News, a source close to Al Shabaab, confirmed the death of the target and named him as Sheikh Abduqadir Kumandos.
SONNA said his name at birth was Abdikadir Osman Yarow. In an apparent contradiction to the AFRICOM report the SONNA statement said the raid took place “in the early hours of Monday.” It added: “The operation took place in Adad Gari village in Habibiyaal area between Dinsor and Bardhere towns.”
Garowe interviewed a Danab commander on the raid: “The officer further said the militants were holding a meeting at the vicinity of Saakow town, a notorious hideout for the Al-Shabaab when the raid happened.”
AFRICOM later confirmed that Kumandos was the target.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (15) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]
Geolocation notes
Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Saakow, for which the generic coordinates are: 1.63938, 42.452171. Due to limited satellite imagery and information 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 an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25.
“Working with our Somali partners, we continue to weaken and degrade the al-Shabaab network,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. Africa Command. “Our efforts are increasing security and helping to disrupt al-Shabaab’s future plans and ambitions.”
Together with partner and international forces, U.S. Africa Command activities are designed to improve security conditions and prevent al-Shabaab's desire to expand their reach.
The command's initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.
U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.
U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means. It requires strong governance and providing economic programs and opportunity for the Somali people.
In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces contribute to the training of Somali forces and use a range of effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people.
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.