Over 50 al-Shabaab militants were killed by Somali forces and “international partner” airstrikes or ground operations in near Afcad location in Hiiraan region on February 17, 2023.

Somali National Television quoted the Somali Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism which released a statement that the Somali Armed Forces with support in international security partners killed over 50 al-Shabaab militants, including give ring leaders, in operations near Afcad.

A tweet from @dhoorebbc pointed out that “international security partners” is a term referring to US airstrikes. However, the Somali government did not directly attribute the airstrikes to the US. While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement but could also refer to Turkish involvement.