On the 23rd of February, 2024 senior Al-Shabaab commanders were reportedly killed in an airstrike announced by the Somali military and “international allies”, and conducted against bases of the militant group in Galhareeri district, central Somalia. However, the number of Al-Shabaab members killed or injured in the strike remains unknown.

An online report on the airstrike was made by Radio Dalsan who stated, on the 23rd of February, that the strike was “carried out by the Somali National Army, supported by international allies” and added that the strike had “targeted the militants’ largest bases in Galhareeri district,” killing “senior commanders”. The Radio Dalsan report further claimed that the strike was launched “when a substantial number of Al-Shabaab members were present at the targeted base”.

To date, there have been no reports of civilian harm as a result of the airstrike.

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.