Editor’s note: This release has been updated to include additional assessment and to correct strike and engagement numbers.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2021.

The strike consisted of two engagements targeting al-Shabaab compounds in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. Current assessments indicate the strike killed three and wounded one al-Shabaab members and destroyed six and damaged one al-Shabaab compound buildings.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. We take significant measures to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict during the course of our operations while we continue to disrupt and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab terrorist network.

“This action clearly demonstrates our continuing  commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler, director of operations for U.S. Africa Command. “We retain the means and the will to strike the al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and ultimately, our own nation.”

U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to U.S. and regional security interests.

“Al-Shabaab remains a threat to Somalia’s future and U.S. interests, and we will continue to disrupt their efforts to terrorize innocents,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander. “Our strikes help keep these terrorists off balance to help our partners then address deeper problems such as governance and development.”

U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region and to work with international and African partners to achieve long-term security goals in Somalia for the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

A video of the mission strike has been posted at: https://go.usa.gov/xA9ZV

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one (1) airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab compound in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Dec. 24, 2020.

The initial assessment concluded the strike damaged the compound and several al-Shabaab fighters fled, thwarting nefarious activity.

The command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this operation. Efforts to disrupt enemy operations, as well as monitor and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network continue.

“U.S. Africa Command continues to maintain a sharp focus on East African threats,” said U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Heidi Berg, U.S. Africa Command director of intelligence. “Al-Shabaab seeks to not only destroy governance and security in Somalia, but target innocent civilians in Kenya and elsewhere. We will continue to monitor and maintain pressure to the network.”

U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. Security is one critical stabilizing pillar alongside governance and economic opportunity.

U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to help provide political, economic, and physical stability in the region.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with international and African partners to ensure long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab explosives experts in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on Dec. 10, 2020.

“We will continue to apply pressure to the al-Shabaab network. They continue to undermine Somali security, and need to be contained and degraded,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command.

The initial assessment indicates the strike killed eight terrorists who were known to play important roles in producing explosives for al-Shabaab, to include vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs). These devices are used frequently to target innocent civilians. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed.

Al-Shabaab conducts dozens of VBIED attacks annually across central and southern Somalia, including against civilian, government, and U.S. targets. Since 2018, the group has conducted an estimated 45 VBIED attacks in Mogadishu alone, collectively resulting in the death of over 400 civilians, security forces and government officials.

“This strike should demonstrate to any enemy that we stand by our partners and will vigorously defend both ourselves and our partners during this repositioning and future operations,” said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force – Quartz commander. “We will continue to maintain strong force protection and strike those who seek to harm us or our partners.”

U.S. Africa Command and its international partners recognize the importance of stability in Somalia. While peace and stability require strong governance and providing economic programs and opportunity for the Somali people, security remains foundational to each.

“Al-Shabaab remains a dangerous franchise of al-Qaeda,” said Townsend. “We continue to monitor the threat and support our partners through training and military and diplomatic engagement. This mission illustrates our continuing commitment to eradicating this threat and supporting our Somali partners in the region. We’re repositioning, but we will maintain the ability to strike this enemy.”

U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to include building and maintaining regional security and placing pressure on al-Shabaab in order to advance mutual interests. U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with international and African partners to ensure long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

Iyadoo lala kaashanayo Dowladda Federaalka ee Soomaaliya, Taliska Mareykanka ee Afrika wuxuu fuliyay labo (2) weerar cirka ah oo lagu bartilmaameedsanayay khubarada al-Shabaab ee ku xeel dheer qaraxyada agagaarka Jilib, Soomaaliya, Dec. 10.

“Waan sii wadi doonaa inaan cadaadis saareyno shabakada al-Shabaab. Waxay sii wadaan inay wax u dhimaan amniga Soomaaliya, waxayna u baahan yihiin in la xakameeyo oo la duleeyo, ”ayuu yiri Gen. Stephen Townsend, taliyaha ciidamada Mareykanka ee Afrika.

Qiimeynta hore waxay muujineysaa in duqeynta lagu dilay argagixisada oo caan ku ahaa inay door muhiim ah ka ciyaaraan soo saarida waxyaabaha qarxa ee Al-Shabaab, oo ay ku jiraan waxyaabaha qarxa ee gawaarida xamuulka lagu qaado (VBIEDs). Qalabkan ayaa si isdaba joog ah loogu adeegsadaa in lagu bartilmaameedsado dadka rayidka ah ee aan waxba galabsan. In kasta oo qiimaynta ugu horreysa ee saameynta ay socoto, haddana waxaa la qiimeeyay in aysan jirin dad rayid ah oo wax ku noqday ama ku dhintay.

Al-Shabaab waxay fulisaa daraasiin weerarro VBIED ah sannad kasta guud ahaan bartamaha iyo koonfurta Soomaaliya, oo ay ku jiraan kuwa rayidka ah, dowladda, iyo bartilmaameedyada Mareykanka. Laga soo bilaabo 2018, kooxdu waxay fulisay qiyaastii 45 weerar oo loo yaqaan VBIED oo ka dhacay magaalada Muqdishu oo keliya, taasoo si wadajir ah u keentay dhimashada in ka badan 400 oo rayid ah, ciidamada amniga iyo saraakiisha dawladda.

“Duqeyntani waa inuu u muujiyaa cadow kasta inaan garab istaagno shuraakadayada isla markaana aan si adag u difaaci doonno nafteena iyo la-hawlgalayaasheena inta lagu guda jiro dib u dejinta iyo hawlgallada mustaqbalka,” ayuu yiri Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Taliyaha Wadajirka ah – Quartz. “Waxaan sii wadi doonaa inaan ilaalino xoog xoog leh oo aan garaacno kuwa doonaya inay waxyeeleeyaan anaga ama lamaanayaashayada.”

Taliska Mareykanka ee Afrika iyo la-hawlgalayaashiisa caalamiga ah waxay aqoonsan yihiin muhiimadda xasilloonida Soomaaliya. In kasta oo nabadda iyo xasilloonidu u baahan yihiin maamul adag iyo in dadka Soomaaliyeed la siiyo barnaamijyo dhaqaale iyo fursado, haddana nabadgelyadu waa mid aasaas u ah mid kasta.

En coordination avec le gouvernement fédéral de la Somalie, le Commandement américain pour l’Afrique a mené deux(2) frappes aériennes visant des experts en explosifs d’al-Shabaab dans les environs de Jilib, en Somalie, le 10 décembre.

« Nous continuerons à faire pression sur le réseau al-Shabaab. Ils continuent de nuire à la sécurité somalienne et doivent être contenus et dégradés », a déclaré le général de l’armée américaine Stephen Townsend, commandant du Commandement Américain pour l’Afrique.

L’évaluation initiale a conclu que l’attaque avait tué des terroristes qui étaient connus pour jouer un rôle important dans la production d’explosifs pour al-Shabaab, y compris les engins explosifs improvisés embarqués (VBIED). Ces dispositifs sont fréquemment utilisés pour cibler des civils innocents. Bien que l’évaluation initiale de l’impact soit en cours, il est estimé qu’aucun civil n’a été blessé ou tué.

Al-Shabaab mène chaque année des dizaines d’attaques VBIED dans le centre et le sud de la Somalie, y compris contre des cibles civiles, gouvernementales et américaines. Depuis 2018, le groupe a mené environ 45 attaques VBIED rien qu’à Mogadiscio, entraînant collectivement la mort de plus de 400 civils, forces de sécurité et responsables gouvernementaux.

« Cette frappe devrait démontrer à tout ennemi que nous soutenons nos partenaires et nous défendrons vigoureusement nous-mêmes et nos partenaires au cours de ce repositionnement et des futures operations », a déclaré le major-général Dagvin Anderson, commandant de la Force opérationnelle interarmées – Quartz. « Nous continuerons de maintenir une solide protection de la force et de frapper ceux qui cherchent à nous nuire ou à nuire à nos partenaires. »

Le Commandement américain pour l’Afrique et ses partenaires internationaux reconnaissent l’importance de la stabilité en Somalie. Si la paix et la stabilité exigent une gouvernance solide et la mise en place de programmes économiques et d’opportunités pour le peuple somalien, la sécurité reste fondamentale pour chacun.

« Al-Shabaab reste une franchise dangereuse d’Al-Qaïda », a déclaré Townsend. « Nous continuons de surveiller la menace et de soutenir nos partenaires par la formation et l’engagement militaire et diplomatique. Cette mission illustre notre engagement continu à éradiquer cette menace et à soutenir nos partenaires somaliens dans la région. Nous nous repositionnons, mais

nous conserverons la capacité de frapper cet ennemi. »

Le Commandement américain pour l’Afrique reste déterminé à travailler avec les pays d’Afrique de l’Est pour inclure la construction et le maintien de la sécurité régionale et faire pression sur al-Shabaab afin de faire avancer les intérêts mutuels. Le Commandement américain pour l’Afrique continuera de travailler avec des partenaires internationaux et africains pour assurer la sécurité à long terme en Somalie au gouvernement fédéral de la Somalie et à ses États membres.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab senior leader in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, on Aug. 25, 2020.

“Working with our Somali partners, we continue to weaken and degrade the al-Shabaab network,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. Africa Command. “Our efforts are increasing security and helping to disrupt al-Shabaab’s future plans and ambitions.”

Together with partner and international forces, U.S. Africa Command activities are designed to improve security conditions and prevent al-Shabaab’s desire to expand their reach.

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1) terrorist.

U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means. It requires strong governance and providing economic programs and opportunity for the Somali people.

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces contribute to the training of Somali forces and use a range of effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people.

U.S. Africa Command continues to work with its Somali partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

U.S. Africa Command officials released the identity of the senior al-Shabaab leader killed in an August 25 airstrike in Somalia as the terrorist known as Abdulqadir Commandos.

The al-Shabaab leader was killed in the airstrike near Saakow, Somalia. He held numerous positions within the al-Shabaab terrorist organization, including recently serving as a senior al-Shabaab commander.

“Operations such as this strike at the heart of al-Shabaab and are critical to degrading their ability to spread chaos and violence in Somalia and beyond,” said U.S. Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, commander, U.S. Africa Command. “We will continue to work with our Somali partners to keep the pressure on these terrorists.”

Since January, U.S. Africa Command has conducted 46 airstrikes to degrade the al-Shabaab network.

U.S. Africa Command provides support for operations and trains, advises, assists and accompanies Somali security forces to help build defense capacity.

“We continue to sharpen our focus on this dangerous enemy,” Townsend said. “With our Somali partners, we continue to weaken the al-Shabaab network by removing key leaders from its ranks. Doing so makes Somalia and America safer.”

In 2020, U.S. Africa Command in partnership with the Federal Government of Somalia has successfully removed several key al-Shabaab leaders to include Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud, aka Bashir Qoorgaab, Yusif Jiis, and most recently Abdulqadir Commandos—via precision airstrikes.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted one (1) airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces from a building in the vicinity of Dar as Salam, Somalia, on Aug. 24, 2020.

“Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. Africa Command. “It is a danger to Africa and the United States. “We will continue to place pressure on the network and impact their ability to plan and execute these acts.”

Al-Shabaab leadership has expressed its primary desire is to conduct attacks not just in East Africa, but against Americans and U.S. interests across the globe. International efforts and the persistent pressure placed on al-Shabaab helps contain the group’s broader ambitions and desire to conduct attacks beyond Somali borders.

When this airstrike occurred, U.S. forces were in the vicinity in order to advise and assist Somali partner forces. Al-Shabaab falsely claimed U.S. casualties. No U.S. forces were injured or killed during the attack.

“Al-Shabaab routinely resorts to the tradecraft of terror, crime, and propaganda to intimidate and seek control of the local populace,” said Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command. “Persistent pressure against the al-Shabaab damages their narrative, network, and plans for broader destruction and violence.”

Initial assessments indicate that the airstrike killed six (6) terrorists and wounded three (3) terrorists.

We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

As part of an international effort, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. interagency partners continue to help support Somali-led efforts to counter and contain dangerous terrorist organizations from exporting violence more broadly.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting one terrorist in the vicinity of Kurtun Warey, Somalia, on Aug. 20, 2020. The terrorist, who has a history of working with explosives, was making preparations to emplace Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a public road.

“Al-Shabaab continues to put Somali people in danger by ruthlessly attempting to place explosive devices in public areas,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler, AFRICOM director of operations. “These extremists continue to terrorize Somali citizens without regard for their safety.”

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1) terrorist and destroyed one motorcycle.

U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means. It requires providing programs and opportunity for the Somali people.

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces use a range of effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people. Together with partner and allied forces, U.S. Africa Command works on a daily basis to improve security conditions to enhance governance and economic development while preventing al-Shabaab’s desire to expand their reach and further export violence.

U.S. Africa Command continues to work with its Somali partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on July 29, 2020.

“U.S. Africa Command continues to assist the Federal Government of Somalia in disrupting al-Shabaab plans for destruction,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs, AFRICOM. “We remain committed to supporting our partners in our mutual fight against violent extremism.”

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1) terrorist and wounded one (1) terrorist. An al-Shabaab compound was destroyed in the airstrike.

U.S. Africa Command is aware of reports alleging civilian casualties resulting from this airstrike. At this time, U.S. Africa Command currently assesses no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.

As with any allegation of civilian casualties we receive, U.S. Africa Command reviews reasonably available information it has about the incident. U.S. Africa Command complies with the law of armed conflict and takes all feasible precautions to minimize risk to civilians.

In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use a range of effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people. Together with partner and allied forces, U.S. Africa Command works on a daily basis to improve security conditions to enhance governance and economic development while preventing al-Shabaab’s desire to expand their reach and further export violence.

U.S. Africa Command continues to work with its Somali partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.