Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM380

Incident date

February 28, 2023

Location

Buurweyn, Hiraan, Somalia

Geolocation

3.591953, 45.552965 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than 10 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed by Somalia government forces and international partners in the Burweyn area of Hiraan region on February 28, 2023.

A tweet from @HSNQ_NISA, the National Intelligence & Security Agency (NISA) of Somalia, announced that “more than” 10 [al-Shabaab members] including leaders were killed in an army operation by NISA with the help of international partners in the Burweyn area of Hiraan region.

@RashidMohamedK2 added that the high value target of the raid was Ibnu Bashir, a senior al-Shabaab member.

There were no other details available as to who was involved in the operation 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.

The incident occured at approximately 4:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Statement from Somali government on operation carried out February 28th, 2023.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Buurweyn, for which the generic coordinates are: 3.591953, 45.552965. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    10

Sources (5) [ collapse]