On the 17th of February, 2024, the Somali National Army (SNA) announced that they had conducted two airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants with assistance from “international partners”. According to a statement from the Somali Ministry of Defense, one strike was conducted in the Kuntu Waarey District in Lower Shabelle and another was carried out in Galcad Town in the Galgaduud region of central Somalia. The statement made no mention of any civilians being injured or killed as a result of the strikes.

The Ministry of Defense statement went on to claim that “these operations resulted in the elimination of 15 militants and the injury of over 20, including ring leaders, along with the destruction of military assets”.

The Somali Ministry of Defense statement was reported on by Anadolu Agency which published an online article, dated the 17th of February. The article noted that the airstrikes were backed by “unnamed international partners”. Dalsan TV, a Somali television channel, similarly reported the details of the strikes contained within the Ministry of Defense statement using a video dated the 17th of February and posted online via X/Twitter.

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.