Somali News in English | The Somali Digest

Facebook Twitter Instagram Telegram Whatsapp
somali-digest-logo
Menu
  • Top Stories
  • Somalia FMS News
    • Galmudug News
    • Hirshabelle News
    • Jubaland News
    • Puntland News
    • Southwest Somalia News
    • Somaliland News
    • SSC Somalia News
  • Somalia Politics News
    • Economy & Development
    • Education & Youth
    • Health & Environment
    • Society & Culture
  • Somalia Security News
Home Features

AFRICOM sheds light on civilian deaths near Dhuusamareeb

Editor by Editor
September 9, 2023
in Features, Galmudug News, Somalia FMS News, Somalia Security News
3
AFRICOM sheds light on civilian deaths near Dhuusamareeb
40
SHARES
264
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) sheds light on civilian deaths near Dhuusamareeb. A cloud of uncertainty hangs over a recent counterterrorism operation in Somalia’s Galmugug State as the Somali government and al-Shabaab published conflicting reports. The incident took place on Wednesday and claimed the lives of al-Shabaab leaders and several civilians. 

El-Lahelay, Galgaduud region, Galmudug, SOMALIA. By Dalmar:

Initially, the Somali government announced that it had successfully killed three al-Shabaab leaders. Simultaneously, another statement indicated that three members of a single family had tragically lost their lives while two others sustained injuries. The state-owned Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported that a mother and her two children died when the militant group al-Shabaab detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in their home in El-Lahelay.

In contrast, al-Shabaab-affiliated websites made no mention of the alleged killing of their leaders. This is typical for the militant group, which always conceals its own casualties. Instead, they claimed that a U.S. airstrike had caused the death of six family members: a grandmother and her five grandchildren.

The Somali government has denied involvement in the civilian casualties, asserting that neither they nor their allies were responsible for the deaths during the operation.

Tracing what happened

Yesterday, AFRICOM also issued a statement. It asserted that the U.S. soldiers were not present in the area during the operation and did not conduct any airstrikes in support of it. Instead, the press release says U.S. soldiers were responding to a request from the Somali government to medically evacuate civilians who sustained injuries during an operation which killed three al-Shabaab leaders.

“On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counterterrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia. The [AFRICOM] command’s initial assessment is that three al-Shabaab leaders were killed as a result of the operation, and, unfortunately, civilians were injured and killed in the vicinity of the operation,” read AFRICOM’s press release.

The conflicting accounts and the tragic loss of civilian lives have raised questions about the incident. Calls for transparency and accountability have emerged, with many urging the Somali government to provide a comprehensive account of the events.

Collateral damage?

The analysis of stakeholders’ statements indicates (not 100% confirms) that the Somali National Army (SNA), possibly its elite Danab unit, conducted the counterterrorism operation that caused all the casualties, both among al-Shabaab leadership and civilians. If this was the case, the civilian deaths should be considered ‘collateral damage’ caused as a tragic consequence of the operation. If proven true, the affected family must receive compensation from the Somali government.

Tags: AFRICOMal-ShabaabAl-ShababDanabGalgaduudGalmudugSNASomali NewsSomali News in EnglishSomaliaThe Somali Digest
Previous Post

30 houses burnt in Mandera inter-clan fighting

Next Post

Preparing for war: Somaliland troops deployed in Yeyle

Editor

Editor

Next Post
Preparing for war: Somaliland troops deployed in Yeyle

Preparing for war: Somaliland troops deployed in Yeyle

Please login to join discussion

Latest News

  • All
  • Education & Youth
  • Features
  • Galmudug News
  • Hirshabelle News
  • Kenya
  • Somalia Politics News
  • Rule of Law & Corruption
  • Society & Culture
Al-Shabab Moqokori
Features

Al-Shabab Recaptures Moqokori as Mogadishu Undermines Puntland

by Jama
July 7, 2025
0

Mogadishu/Garowe — Al-Shabab today recaptured the strategic district of Moqokori from government forces—a territory liberated with much fanfare in 2022—while...

Read moreDetails
Puntland Somalia AfDB

Puntland Funds Road After Mogadishu Blocks AfDB Aid

July 3, 2025
Puntland Jubaland Somalia

Deni and Madobe Reunite in Garowe to Counter Federal Overreach

June 23, 2025
Mogadishu Conference Somalia Hassan Sheikh

Hassan Sheikh Accused of Engineering Sham Dialogue for Global Optics

June 17, 2025
Puntland ISIS Somalia

Puntland’s Mountain Offensive Yields Turkish ISIS Fighter

June 14, 2025
The-somali-digest-logo2

Welcome to The Somali Digest, your premier online source for all things Somali. Our mission is to provide you with the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and insightful news and features regarding Somalia and its diaspora.

Important Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Newsletter

Useful Link

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Help/FAQ
Facebook Instagram Telegram Whatsapp

©2023 The Somali Digest. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1

© 2023 The Somali Digest. All Right Reserved.