Airwars assessment
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.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (6) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]
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This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.
Source: Somali National News Agency -
This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.
Source: Somali National News Agency -
This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.
Source: Somali National News Agency
US Forces Assessment:
Original strike reports
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against al Shabaab terrorists on July 15. The airstrike occurred in a remote area in the vicinity of Ceel Dheere approximately 170 km northeast of Mogadishu. The initial post-strike assessment indicates the airstrike killed 10 al Shabaab fighters and that there were no civilians harmed. In addition to the airstrikes, U.S. forces provided support to evacuate a number of the Somali force’s casualties after they were attacked by the terrorist group.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this airstrike and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released to ensure operational security.
Al Shabaab has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks in the region, which disproportionately harm civilians.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command's forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al Shabaab.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.