On July 15, 2024, 10-50 al-Shabab militants were killed by a declared US airstrike in the Ceel Dheere (El Dheer) district of the Galguduud region of Central Somalia, according to media and military reports.

There is indication an al-Shabab ground operation near the town of El-Dheer precipitated a “self defense” airstrike by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted “at the request” of the Somali National Army (SNA), according to Somali state media initially and later confirmed by AFRICOM on July 29th. According to AFRICOM, 10 al-Shabab militants were killed and no civilians were harmed, while the Somali National Television included a press release from the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism which announced that “more than 50” Khawaarij (al-Shabab) were killed by “a joint mission by the national army, the heroes of the region and the international friends, which took place in Dhabaqle district between Masagway and Cawsweyne area”. Witnesses reported hearing the sounds of “up to two missiles at locations in the Xusseen Cageey area,” according to Radio Djir.

AFRICOM said US military forces also “evacuated a number of the Somali force’s [sic] casualties after they were attacked” by militants. Al-shabab said the group killed 27 Somali government soldiers and injured 38 others, according to the local outlet Horn Observer. SNA general Daya Abdulle told state media that the militants “were gathering to orchestrate plans to cause harm to the Somali people,” but offered nothing more specific. The Somali National News Agency report on the operation included three graphic but heavily blurred images which seem to show the bodies of deceased individuals.