Seven al-Shabaab militants were killed and others were injured by an airstrike perpetrated by the Somali National Army along with international partners on 4 June, 2024, in Bakool. The strike was announced by the Somali Ministry of Defense as a “successful mission […] aimed at safeguarding civilians”.

According to Facebook user “Taliska Guutada 9aad Ee Qeybta 60-aad CXDS G/ Bakool”, a joint operation was being carried out by the Somali Armed Forces and Ethiopian troops after the SNA [Somali National Army] “received information of militiamen gathering in the areas of Ceel-Lahelay and Moorigaabey, 25 km from the city of Xuddur”. The source did not specify who was responsible for the airstrike, but mentioned that in addition to the seven Khawarij (al-Shabaab) killed, surviving al-Shabaab members were said to have taken injured militants to Farssolauy and Bulo Fulay.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to airstrikes has in the past indicated US involvement but could also refer to Turkish involvement or United Arab Emirates involvement.