U.S. Confirms Killing of Two Civilians in Somalia Air Strike

The United States has confirmed that during a February 2019 air strike in Somalia, “two civilians were regrettably and unintentionally killed and three were injured”. Two al-Shabaab terrorists, who were also killed in the strike, were the intended targets.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) reported the civilian casualties in a “commitment to transparency,” as allegations regarding civilian casualties continue to occur.

AFRICOM reports that from February 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020, they have “conducted 91 airstrikes against Violent Extremist Organizations in Somalia and Libya.” From these 91 airstrikes, AFRICOM “received 70 allegations… [of] approximately 90 alleged civilian casualties.”

Aside from the two confirmed killed during the February 2019 air strike, the U.S. says most “allegations were assessed to be unsubstantiated”, while “seven incidents are still under review.”