Incident Code

USSOM379

Location

Hiiraan, Hiiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

4.208662, 45.472188
Accuracy: District

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

20 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by a Somali forces and “international partner” airstrike in Hiraan region on February 22, 2023.

Asharq Al-Awsat quoted Somali state television which announced that 20 al-Shabaab militants traveling in a vehicle were killed in airstrikes carried out by Somali intelligence forces in cooperation with international allied forces.

There were no other details available as to who was involved in the airstrike and the resulting casualties.

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.

Key Information

Country
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
No
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Military actors reported killed
20

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the administrative region of Hiraan, for which the generic coordinates are: 4.208662, 45.472188. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Military Statements

International Forces (Unknown) Assessment
Suspected belligerent
International Forces (Unknown)
International Forces (Unknown) position on incident
Not yet assessed