American airstrikes in Somalia

Drone strikes in Somalia
Part of the Somali Civil War

MQ-9 Reaper drone, commonly used over Somalia by U.S. forces.
DateJanuary 7, 2007–present (11 years, 9 months and 6 days)
LocationSomalia
Status

Ongoing

  • Multiple al-Shabaab militants targeted and killed
  • Raids by U.S. Special Forces
  • Various al-Qaeda senior leaders killed
Belligerents

United States

In support of:

 Somalia

al-Shabaab
Mujahideen

Hizbul Islam (until 2010; 2012–2014)

Daesh

Formerly:

Islamic Courts Union (2006)
Strength
500
 5,000–7,000
Casualties and losses
1 killed 552+ killed
42+ injured

Since 2007, the United States has targeted militant groups linked to al-Qaeda within Somalia. The US has used airstrikes including targeted drone strikes and missiles launched from naval ships.

Timeline

2007

  • January 7

A U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunship operating under JSOC targeted a suspected al-Qaeda convoy. The strike killed various potential fighters including Aden Hashi Eyro, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, and Sudanese explosive expert Abu Talha al Sudani known as Tariq Abdullah. The convoy had been tracked at night by a MQ-1 Predator drone. An estimated 5–10 militants were killed and 4-5 injured. A joint U.S.–Ethiopian team landed at the strike location shortly after and confirmed at least 8 killed.[1] According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the militants killed in this strike were connected to the 1998 embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania. [2]

  • January 9

Four towns near the southern city of Ras Kamboni were targeted by an AC-130 gunship. The strike which was targeting a training camp and al-Qaeda associates, reportedly left 4–31 people killed. The intended target was thought to be Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the target of a previous airstrike.[3] Another strike was reported near Afmadow in which 22–31 people were reported killed. [4]

  • January 23

At 4:00 a.m., an AC-130 gunship operating from an airbase in eastern Ethiopia, targeted the town of Waldena in an attempt to kill Ahmed Madobe, an Islamic Courts Union commander and deputy to Hassan Turki. Madobe survived the airstrike but was later captured by American and Ethiopian forces who landed by helicopter at 10:00 a.m.. [5]

  • June 1

The USS Chafee fired a dozen rounds and possibly one cruise missile on the coast of Bargal, in northern Somalia. The strikes were targeting 35 militants that had landed on the coast and had begun to fire on local forces. U.S. officials told The New York Times that U.S. operatives were on the ground, leading to the American warship firing in self-defense. 8–12 militants, including some foreign fighters were killed.[5]

2008

  • March 3

1–3 cruise missiles were launched by United States at the town of Dhobley in southern Somalia, four miles from the Kenyan border. The strike was targeting the leader of the Ras Kamboni Brigades known as Hassan Turki, and al-Qaeda member Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan. At the time, Saleh Alii was the subject of a $25 million bounty placed on him by the United States government.[6]

  • May 1

Four cruise missiles launched by a U.S. Navy warship struck a compound in Dhusamareb, in central Somalia. The strike killed senior al-Shabaab leader Aden Hashi Ayro and several other fighters. Reports suggest that an AC-130 was also involved in the operation. The attack purportedly caused al-Shabaab to ban the use of mobile phones by its fighters.[7]

2009

  • September 14

Operation Celestial Balance – After several strikes by warplanes, U.S. commandos launch a helicopter raid near the southern coastal town of Barawa, killing Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan after his convoy was tracked as it left Mogadishu to attend a meeting between Islamic militants. [8]

2011

  • April 3–6

During fighting in Dhobley between Somali forces and al-Shabaab militants, an airstrike took place which killed al-Qaeda commander Jabreel Malik Muhammed. This followed an eighteen month long gap in U.S. strikes in the area.[9]

  • June 23

In the first reported lethal drone strike conducted in Somalia, U.S. forces struck a training camp south of Kismayo, which supposedly resulted in the death of senior al Shabaab leader, Ibrahim al-Afghani. However, Stratfor reported in August that Afghani was still alive and had replaced Ahmed Abdi Godane as the emir of al-Shabaab. Afghani has not appeared in the public since.[10]

  • July 6

Early in the morning, U.S. drones hit three al-Shabaab training camps in Afmadow. It was not confirmed if the United States was responsible for the attack.[11]

  • September 15

Three explosions are heard after Kismayo residents reported aircraft flying over the town. Residents report the aircraft having struck at a forested area where militants are believed to have established a training camp. The aircraft are most likely American warplanes.[12]

  • September 25

Series of drone strikes target al-Shabaab militant in Kismayo.[13]

  • October 6

Drone strike targets al-Shabaab militants who were retreating into Dolbiyow Village. The attack killed 4 Somali farmers.[14]

  • October 13

Drone strike against an al Shabaab base near Taabta village.[15]

  • October 22

US drone attacked on Afmadow.[16]

  • October 23

US and French airstrikes in Kismayo.[17]

  • November 14

US drone attack on a training camp purportedly killed leaders Ahmed Godane and Hassan Dahir Aweys.[18]

2012

  • January 21

Three missiles fired by a drone target and kill the British–Lebanese militant Bilal al-Berjawi known as Abu Hafsa while he is driving in a car outside Mogadishu.[19]

  • February 24

US drone strike targeting a vehicle carrying a senior commander kills 7 militants in Lower Shabelle, including a prominent Moroccan, and a deputy of Bilah al-Berjawi.[20]

  • August 23

US airstrikes reportedly conducted into the town of Qandala.[21]

2013

  • October 28

2 Islamists killed in drone attack including senior al-Shabaab leader Ibrahim Ali Abdi.[22]

2014

  • September 1

US drones and conventional aircraft target al-Shabaab encampments and vehicles. Leader Ahmed Abdi Godane was killed in the strike.[23]

  • December 29

US drone strike kills senior leader of al-Shabaab known as Abdishakur, the group's intelligence chief.[24]

2015

  • January 31

45-60 al-Shabaab members are reported killed in a US drone strike in Lower Shabelle, after explosions rock a training camp, a house, and several armored vehicles. The U.S. denies its involvement in the strikes. It is the most lethal American attack in Somalia against radical Islamists to date.[25]

In a second strike, senior al-Shabaab leader Yusef Dheeq and an associate are killed while riding in a vehicle.[26]

  • March 10

US drones target two al-Shabaab training camps.[27]

  • March 12

Senior member of al-Shabaab and suspect in the Kenya mall attack Adan Garaar is killed in drone strike that destroyed two vehicles.[28]

  • July 15–18

Drone strikes in Baardheere.[29]

  • November 22

US strike targets an al-Shabaab base in southern Somalia.[30]

  • November 29

Either Kenyan or American planes bomb 3 villages in central Hiraan.[31]

  • December 2

Senior al-Shabaab fighter Abdirahman Sandhere killed in airstrike.[32]

  • December 22

al-Shabaab leader Abu Ubaidah killed in drone strike.[33]

2016

  • March 5

A massive U.S. airstrike involving multiple aircraft, manned and unmanned, targeted a training camp near the town of Raso in central Somalia killing an estimated 150 al-Shabaab militants. According to U.S. military officials, the American warplanes struck a large gathering of fighters as they were massing in preparation for an attack.[34][35][36]

  • March 8

US helicopter assist Somali Special Forces who had attacked an al-Shabaab target in southern Somalia.[37]

  • March 31

US drone strike target 3 al-Shabaab vehicles in southern Somalia.[38]

  • April 1

US airstrikes against al-Shabaab militants.[39]

  • April 2

2 US strikes leave 6 people killed in southern Somalia.[40]

  • April 6

US drone strike in Jillib leaves 8 people dead.[41]

  • April 11

US drone strike attacks an al-Shabaab camp in southern Somalia killing 12 militants.[42]

  • May 9-10

The United States, alongside Kenyan and Somali forces, conducted a raid in Toratorow. It is reported that helicopters were also used in the raid.

  • May 12

US airstrike kills 5 al-Shabaab members.[43]

  • May 27

Senior al-Shabaab leader Abdullahi Haji Daud killed in drone strike.[44]

  • June 11

Reportedly, US jets struck al Shabaab targets in the northern autonomous region of Puntland.[45]

  • June 21

3 al-Shabaab members killed in drone strike.[46]

  • August 30

Two militants are killed in drone strike near Gobanale.[47]

  • September 5

Four militants are killed near the town of Tortoroow, in two "self-defense" strikes.[48]

  • September 26

U.S. officials say four al-Shabaab fighters were killed by airstrikes after they attacked a joint U.S.-Somali force near Kismayo.[49]

  • September 28

U.S. aircraft mistakenly target local militia members in the Puntland region, killing at least 22 Galmudug soldiers, as well as some Islamist fighters. The strike led to demonstrations in Galkayo that saw protesters burn the American flag.[50][51]

2017

In 2017, the United States conducted at least 34 strike operations against al-Shabab and a militant splinter group supporting the Islamic State, according observers of U.S. military activities against al-Shabab,[52] including an airstrike on an al-Shabaab camp resulting in the death of 100 militants.[53]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Somalia: reported US covert actions 2001–2017". The Bureau of Investigative Journalism. 22 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Rice, Xan (9 January 2007). "'Many dead' in US air strikes on Somalia". the Guardian.
  3. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  4. ↑ "Airstrike Rekindles Somalis' Anger at the U.S." The New York Times. 10 January 2007.
  5. 1 2 "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  6. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  7. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  8. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  9. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  10. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  11. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  12. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  13. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  14. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  15. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  16. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  17. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  18. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  19. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  20. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  21. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  22. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  23. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  24. ↑ "U.S. launches air strike in Somalia targeting al Shabaab senior leader". 29 December 2014 – via Reuters.
  25. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  26. ↑ Whitlock, Craig (3 February 2015). "Drone strike kills senior al-Shabab official in Somalia" – via www.washingtonpost.com.
  27. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  28. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001–2016".
  29. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  30. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  31. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  32. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  33. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  34. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  35. ↑ "U.S. airstrike kills more than 150 at Somalia terrorist camp, military says". Washington Post. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  36. ↑ "US strike 'kills 150 Somali militants'". BBC News. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  37. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  38. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  39. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  40. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  41. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  42. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  43. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  44. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  45. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  46. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  47. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  48. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  49. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  50. ↑ "Somalia: Reported US covert actions 2001-2016".
  51. ↑ Sheikh, Abdi (2016-09-28). "U.S. accused of killing 22 in misdirected Somalia air strike". U.S. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
  52. ↑ Maruf, Harun. "US Airstrikes in Somalia Increasing Pressure on al-Shabab". VOA. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  53. ↑ CNN, Barbara Starr and Ryan Browne,. "US airstrike kills more than 100 al-Shabaab militants". CNN. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
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