On Tuesday, 8 October 2024, 27 alleged Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the village of Yaqli, Middle Shabelle, Somalia, in an airstrike by International partners in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. The strikes were declared by the Somalia Ministry of Information.

The Somalia National News Agency (SONNA) reported that two operations had been carried out by the “(Somalia) National army, popular resistance forces, and international partners.” The second operation was stated to have been an airstrike that hit the village of Yaqi in the Middle Shabelle region, which killed “27 Al-Shabaab members”, and “led to the destruction of their base in the area.” Anadolu Agency added that the village hit by the strike, Yaaqle, was near Hawadlay in Middle Shabelle, an area that Shabelle Media termed as a “key Al-Shabaab stronghold.”

Garowe Online quoted the Somalia Ministry of Information saying that “operations involving Somali forces, local militia, and foreign military support” were carried out in two regions including in Middle Shabelle. They noted the “involvement of foreign troops“, and that while the Ministry did not “specify the exact number” of foreign actors involved, they “highlighted their crucial support in intelligence and aerial operations.” Garowe also added that “given the conflicting reports on casualties, the true extent of the losses on both sides remains unclear.”

Multiple local, national and international media sources including TRT Africa, Agenzia Nova, and the Middle East Monitor, quoted the official press releases while reporting on the strikes.

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