U.S. Military Clears Airstrike Allegations by Al-Shabab, Confirms No Civilian Harm
AFRICOM denies involvement in the deaths of Cuban doctors in Somalia, refuting al-Shabab claims. U.S. airstrike near Jilib confirmed, but civilian harm dismissed.
The U.S. military has denied allegations that it was responsible for the deaths of two Cuban doctors in Somalia, which the al-Shabab militant group attributed to a U.S. airstrike in February.
The latest civilian harm assessment from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirms that an airstrike was conducted near the town of Jilib on February 15. However, the report categorically denies that this strike resulted in the deaths of the doctors.
“On Feb. 17, 2024, the command received one (1) report of an online media source stating two (2) civilians were killed as a result of a U.S. military operation in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, on Feb. 15, 2024,” the assessment noted. “The command completed a review of available information and assessed that the U.S. airstrike conducted on Feb. 15, 2024, did not result in civilian harm.”
Al-Shabab claimed without proof that the airstrike killed Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez, who had been held hostage since April 2019 after being abducted from Mandera County in northeastern Kenya. The militant group published an image allegedly showing one of the hostages’ bodies, but VOA Somali has not independently verified the doctors’ deaths.
AFRICOM also assessed two other incidents this year: one on January 25 near Galhareeri in Galmudug state and another on February 22 in Kurtunwaarey in Southwest state. In both cases, U.S. airstrikes were blamed for civilian injuries and fatalities. AFRICOM’s review determined there were no U.S. military operations at the reported times and locations.
AFRICOM emphasized its commitment to transparency and thorough investigation of civilian harm reports. “U.S. Africa Command takes all reports of possible civilian harm seriously and has a process to conduct thorough reviews and assessments using all available information,” the assessment stated. “The command remains committed to reviewing and assessing any reports of civilian harm.”
The United States has long supported the Somali government with airstrikes against al-Shabab and military training for government troops. In February, the U.S. and Somalia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to construct up to five military bases for the U.S.-trained elite Somali National Army forces known as the Danab (lightning) Brigade.
