Airstrike in Somalia Leaves Casualties and Extremist Group Members Dead

Introduction

An airstrike on a town in Somalia left numerous casualties, including children, and killed three members of an extremist group linked to al-Qaeda, local residents and authorities said.

US Army Statement

Meanwhile, the US Army said in a statement on Friday: “Unfortunately, civilians were injured and killed” near a military operation carried out by Somali forces in the village of Lahili last Wednesday.

Evacuation of Wounded Civilians

The US said it evacuated wounded civilians at the request of the Somali government, but US troops did not carry out airstrikes or be on the scene. U.S. Africa Command also did not respond to questions, including on the number of civilians killed or wounded.

The statement added: “The claim disseminated by al-Shabaab that US forces harmed civilians is a false claim.”

Eyewitness Accounts

Local resident Amal Ali told The Associated Press that the airstrike targeted an al-Shabaab vehicle driving near the family home in the town of Al-Jaras, Galmudug state. She added that the grandmother and five of her grandchildren were killed.

In turn, the children’s father, Daher Ahmed, confirmed in a telephone conversation that the accident had occurred, but said that he could not immediately provide details.

Confirmation from Jaras Administration

Abdel Fattah Ali Halan, secretary general of the Jaras administration, told The Associated Press that it was an American airstrike. They provided critical air support during our operations against extremists in Galmudug State.”

He added that the airstrike killed three people, including two suspected al-Shabaab members, and wounded five others, including four children.

Statement from Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister

In turn, Somalia’s Deputy Information Minister Abdul Rahman Adala told reporters that three members of the Al-Shabaab movement were killed during the operation carried out by Somali forces. However, he said extremists planted explosives in a nearby house, killing civilians.

Source

Source: AB