Airwars assessment
On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, up to 19 alleged al-Shabaab militants were killed in the al-Kowthar region, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia.
US AFRICOM released a statement terming the airstrike as “collective self-defense” at the request of the Somali government, and that the strike occurred in the vicinity of al-Kowthar. They added their initial assessment was that reportedly “no civilians were killed or injured” in the strike.
In a report published by New America later in April, AFRICOM is quoted as maintaining that no civilians were killed or injured, and that as of April 3, claimed that no militants had been killed either, noting that a vehicle had been destroyed in the strike.
Meanwhile, the Somali Ministry of Information published a press release stating that the strike was “joint airstrike operation… executed by US AFRICOM in partnership with the Somali National Army”, and that it “significantly impacted al-Shabaab militants”, with an “assessment of enemy casualties…currently underway.” The strike was allegedly launched as a response to a failed militant attack in the same region.
Mustaqbal Media reported that the airstrike “killed senior militants belonging to the armed group [al-Shabaab].” Hiraan News and the Middle East Monitor quoted the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) which stated that an airstrike on 25 February in al-Kowthar resulted “in the deaths of 19 militants, with their vehicles and equipment destroyed”, with the Middle East Monitor adding that according to NISA, “some senior members of Al-Shabaab were among those killed in the air strikes” but they “did not name them or their positions” – it is unclear if these casualties were a part of the AFRICOM led strike in the region, as at least one source, Mogadishu24 News, reported that the operation in al-Kowthar which resulted in the deaths of 19 militants occurred a day before the AFRICOM strike (without specifying which day either operation occurred). Hiraan News noted that along with two other airstrikes conducted on the same day, “the latest press release from NISA did not specify whether these strikes were carried out independently or with external assistance.”
Sources did not provide names or further details of those killed in the strike.
The local time of the incident is unknown.
Summary
Sources (9) [ collapse]
Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]
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Source: Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism
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 on Feb. 25, 2025.
The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of Al-Kowsar, Somalia.
The command's initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed.
Al Shabaab has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. and partner forces. This terrorist group's malicious efforts threaten U.S. and international security interests.
U.S. Africa Command, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab's ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians.
Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.
Degrading al Shabaab and other terrorist organizations' ability to plot and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our partners, and civilians remains central to U.S. Africa Command's mission.