Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USSOM452b

Incident date

January 1, 2025

Location

Beerhani and Qudus areas, Lower Juba, Somalia

Airwars assessment

31 al-Shabaab militants were killed by alleged US airstrikes in support of the Somali National Army in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba, Somalia on January 1, 2025.

The official Somali National Army Radio posted on Facebook announcing that “On January 1, an airstrike in the Beerhani and Qudus areas of Lower Juba killed 31 militants, including two leaders, one of whom was identified as Gacma Dheere, the leader of the group in Wayanata area of ​​Lower Juba region.” The Somali Army did not identify who was responsible for the airstrikes, only referring to “international partners” involvement.

A post on Twitter/X from @HornDefenceAnalysis reported on heavy airstrikes in “the areas of Wayanta,Beerxano to Yaqdabayl”, adding that al-Shabaab had been digging holes to evade the Danab commandos and that @USAfricaCommand had carried out the operation to support Danab commandos.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    31

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Horn Defence Analysis

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al-Shabaab
  • Belligerents reported killed
    31

Sources (2) [ collapse]