Mogadishu September 10, 2023 (SD) – A press release from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that on September 6th, Somali National Army forces conducted an air strike on an Al-Shabaab compound in the village of Ceel-Lahelay.

According to the U.S. military, this operation resulted in the deaths of three Al-Shabaab leaders responsible for recent attacks, unfortunately, the raid also caused casualties and injuries to civilians.

The U.S. military was not directly involved in the operation, and there were no reported airstrikes in the area related to this incident, as mentioned in the press release. However, AFRICOM noted that a request for assistance came from the Somali government, urging them to provide aid to the affected area, including medical treatment for civilian casualties.

The United States strongly refutes Al-Shabaab’s claims that their forces killed civilians.

The U.S. did not specify the exact number of civilian casualties or injuries, but local media have reported that a woman and five of her grandchildren were killed in the attack.

Various reports have also emerged regarding the incident, with the Somali government stating that one woman and two children were killed due to explosives planted by Al-Shabaab in a house in the village of Ceel-Lahelay in the Galgaduud region.