A statement from U.S. Africa Command disclosed that on May 31 it had conducted an airstrike in a remote area of northeastern Somalia, south of the Gulf of Aden, that killed three militants affiliated with the Islamic State. The statement did not provide more accurate information about who was specifically being targeted in the airstrike.
Three U.S. officials confirmed to ABC News that the target of the strike was the top leader of the Islamic State in Somalia whom the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) identified as Abdulqadir Mumin. However, the U.S. officials said it remained unclear if Mumin had been killed in the airstrike.
[March 7 2024 U.S. airstrike killed two al Shabaab ]
Personnel from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out an airstrike following an official request from the Somali government. Two Al-Shabaab militants died in the airstrike. AFRICOM added that no civilian was injured in the operation.
The airstrike on March 2 occurred in a remote area roughly 45km to the northeast of Kismayo.
[January 23 2024 Airsrike kills 2 ]
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike with two engagements against the al Shabaab terrorist group on Jan. 21.
The collective self-defense strike occurred in a remote area of Somalia, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of Kismayo.
The initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed three al Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
[December 27 2022 21 al-Shabab militants killed in 3 U.S.strikes ]
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a self-defense strike Dec. 23, 2022, in support of Somali National Army engagements against al-Shabaab 248 km northeast of Mogadishu near Cadale, Somalia [Adale].
The command’s initial assessment is the strike killed six al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed.
The U.S. military in Africa says it conducted two “collective self-defense” strikes against the group on December 14 and 17 in the vicinity of the coastal town of Adale.
The strikes came at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, and in support of the Somali National Army forces.
The first strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing seven militants, while the second strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing eight al-Shabab fighters.
U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed in either strike, according to AFRICOM.
“U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate,” read the statement.
[February 28 2022 MQ-9 Reaper hits Duduble ]
U.S. Africa Command conducted a MQ-9 Reaper drone airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Duduble, Somalia, February 22. The airstrike was the first such military action by the US against al-Qaeda affiliates in East Africa since August of last year.
[February 20 2022 war over oil in tweets ]
[November 29 2021 Danab against ASWJ, both U.S. supported ]
The United States says it will review its support for an elite unit of the Somali National Army following its participation in a battle against a former ally in the fight against al-Shabab extremists. On 18 January 2018, Ahlu Sunna merged its forces and administration into Galmudug State’s regional government and security forces.
Renewed fighting began in September 2021 in the Galgadud region is due to a dispute between Ahlu Sunna and the Galmudug regional administration.
The fighting pits government troops and Galmudug regional forces against the militias of Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’a (ASWJ). The moderate Islamist group is a rival to al-Shabab, which the United States considers the major militant threat in the region. The U.S. has been training and providing support to Danab since 2013. Danab, which is currently about 1,400 military personnel, has bases in southern and central Somalia. In addition to training the Danab soldiers, the U.S. has been carrying out airstrikes against al-Shabab militants in support of the Somali government.
[August 2 2021 Second, third Biden airstrike ]
The United States carried out another airstrike against al-Shabab militants, its third in less than two weeks. Previous airstrikes took place July 20 and 23 in the same vicinity.
The mission was conducted to support an American-trained Somali force known as the Danab after they came under fire from al-Shabab militants in the Galmudug area of Somalia,
[July 23 2021]
The U.S,attacked in Somalia by air in the Galmudug area in central Somalia, in the vicinity of Qeycad. This was the second airstrike, U.S. forces conducted against the al-Shabab extremist group in Somalia. The earlier strike, on July 20 2021, was the first in Somalia since President Joe Biden took office in January.
[April 28 2021 President will not extend his term ]
Somalia’s president, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, has said he will no longer seek a two-year extension to his term in office.
Somali elections are conducted under a complex indirect system where clan elders select MPs, who in turn choose the president.
President Farmajo’s mandate expired in February but no vote has been held because of regional squabbles over how power is distributed – and a row over a new election commission.
[April 22 2021 we fly in to assist ]
We have been commuting to work,” U.S. Africa Command chief Gen. Stephen Townsend said April 22 2021. “We work virtually with our partners from our bases in the region, and then we fly in to conduct training and to advise and assist our partners.”
Over the past 90 days, there have been four such operations to train, advise and assist forces inside Somalia, including one that is ongoing, Townsend added.
[April 15 2021 President extends term, Bliken warns ]
[March 26 2021 WITHDRAWAL LIKELY HAD ‘SIGNIFICANT DOWNSIDES’ ]
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“From my perspective, there is probably significant downsides to the pullout from the perspective of cost and effectiveness,” Christopher Maier, acting assistant secretary of Defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “But that’s my initial look, and this will have to be an interagency look.”
[February 19 2021 firing on protests of delay of the country’s election ]
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Security forces in Somalia’s capital fired on hundreds of people protesting the delay of the country’s election on February 19 2021 as at least one explosion was reported at the international airport and armored personnel carriers blocked major streets. A protest leader said “some have died.”
The chaos in Mogadishu occurred hours after Somalia’s government and opposition leaders said gunfire erupted overnight near the presidential palace in a sharp escalation of political tensions in a country trying to rebuild after three decades of conflict.
[January 31 2021 Mogadishu heavy firefight with insurgents ]
[January 19 2021 airstrike Jamaame and Deb Scinnele ]
Jan. 19 (UPI) — U.S. forces conducted two airstrikes on al-Shabaab operatives in Somalia, killing three members of the Islamist terrorist group.
No civilians were injured or killed in the airstrikes, conducted near Jamaame and Deb Scinnele in coordination with the government of Somalia, according to initial assessment, AFRICOM
[January 8 2021 airstrike in the vicinity of Saaxa Weyne, Somalia ]
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike in the vicinity of Saaxa Weyne, Somalia, Jan. 7, 2021.
Initial assessments indicate the strike killed five al-Shabaab members including the targeted al-Shabaab leaders.
[January 3 2021 twin airstrikes near the town of Qunyo Barrow ]
At least three members of the Somalia-based al-Shabab extremist group were killed and half a dozen buildings used by the militants were destroyed in U.S. airstrikes on New Year’s Day, U.S. Africa Command said.
The twin airstrikes launched in coordination with the Somali government targeted al-Shabab compounds near the town of Qunyo Barrow, AFRICOM said in a statement released Saturday.
[December 24 2020 U.S.Navy and Air Force in Somali waters ]
The USS Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit reached Somali waters on December 21 2020. It joined the USS Hershel Woody Williams, an expeditionary sea base that arrived on December 16, according to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Pentagon says troops will be relocated within region to continue fighting extremist groups. USS Nimitz (CVN-68), its escorts and an Air Force AC-130W Stinger II gunship will guard the operation.
[December 12 2020 Airstrikes on bomb makers vicinity of Jilib ]
AFRICOM stated: “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab explosives experts in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, Dec. 10.
December 3 2020 Target was Abdullahi Osman Mohamed, an expert bomb-maker, in Gendershe ]
A Somali intelligence officer who works with the US-trained Somali “Danab” special forces unit in Lower Shabelle said: “Our officers were supported by the US officers. We flew at 2am that night. The soldiers disembarked from the chopper and went on foot in the bush before a huge explosion went off and killed the American friend and four of our [Somali] officers.”
Somali officials said the operation was launched following information that three senior al-Shabaab commanders would be in Gendershe that night. Among them was Abdullahi Osman Mohamed, an expert bomb-maker believed to be responsible for many of the powerful devices that have killed hundreds of civilians in Somalia in recent years.
[December 2 2020 Obituary – Michael Goodboe, SAC CIA veteran dead in Somalia ]
Michael Raymond Goodboe
Highly decorated retired Navy SEAL Michael Raymond “Goody” Goodboe died on November 24, 2020 from injuries sustained while serving his country overseas.
To say that Goody was a giant in the special operations community is to understate his reputation in the US military and special operations community. Goody served his country with distinction in multiple theaters including Iraq, Afghanistan, Eastern Europe, and Africa.
Goody retired from the Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) after a distinguished career as a Navy SEAL in which he earned the Silver Star Medal for extraordinary heroism, four Bronze Star Medals (two with Valor Device), three Defense Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal with Valor Device, three Joint Service Achievement Medals, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, five Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Expert Rifleman, Expert Pistol Shot.
Goody will be remembered for his warrior spirit, sense of humor, and high standards for himself and his comrades. Goody made a lasting impression on everyone he worked with, whether in peacetime, training, or serving overseas in challenging environments.
As fiercely loyal and dedicated as he was in service to his country so was he with his love and devotion to his family and friends. All were blessed with Goody’s wit, warmth, compassion and love from a man who lifted hearts the moment he walked into the room.
At the time of his death, Goody was 54 years old. He will be missed beyond comprehension by Ruthie Litvin Goodboe, his wife of more than 20 years, his parents Michael and Zelia Goodboe, in-laws, Joesph and Elaine Litvin, uncles, aunts, and cousins together with his chosen family and friends. Michael R. Goodboe will be remembered with pride, honor and love for generations to come.
Goody will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
[November 27 2020]
Michael Goodboe, a 54-year-old former Navy SEAL who worked for the CIA’s paramilitary unit, died after succumbing to injuries from an improvised explosive device, according to the two sources.
[November 25 2020]
A veteran C.I.A. officer was killed in combat in Somalia in recent days, according to current and former U.S. officials,
The officer was a member of the C.I.A.’s paramilitary division, the Special Activities Center, and a former member of the Navy’s elite SEAL Team 6.
U.S. troops are stationed in nearby Kenya and Djibouti, where American drones carry out airstrikes in Somalia
Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) quarterly report to the U.S. Congress
[November 17 2020 Trump withdrawing? ]
Trump’s newly-installed acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller, a former Green Beret and counter-terrorism official, may withdraw nearly all U.S. troops from Somalia as part of a global pullback. Colonel Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, who served for three years as the commander of the Danab special forces until 2019, [Somali National Army’s special forces known as Danab (Lightning) Advanced Infantry Brigade] said any such decision to pull back would not be based on the counter-terrorism threat in Somalia and could undermine trust in the United States.
“This is being dictated by politics,” he said.
[September 30 2019 Balidogle Somalia: attack on Danab, Gaashaan and Waran base ]
“Two suicide car bombs from the Middle Shabelle region tried to attack Balidogle airport but they detonated outside the airport gate,” followed by small arms fire. The Baledogle base is where U.S. special forces train Somali commandos and from where many drone operations are launched. https://wp.me/p1kUZv-Kz
(Reuters)(Vice May 3 2018)U.S. operators are training the Somali National Army’s special forces known as Danab (Lightning) Advanced Infantry Brigade and the Somali National Intelligence Security (NISA) known as Gaashaan and Waran. The latter two groups, which also receive training from the CIA, have grown significantly in recent years, U.S. Africa Command (known as AFRICOM) now has more than 500 U.S. military personnel in Somalia). The Department of Defense funded the construction of at least 208 beds through the U.S. Army’s Logistical Civil Augmentation Program. 600 beds are being constructed under the Department of State’s Africa Peacekeeping Program.
There will be a land-based supply route from the main American military base in Africa, Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, to Baledogle, the U.S. camp in Somalia. U.S. military personnel usually make the 60-mile trip from the Mogadishu International Airport complex—which acts as the base for most internationals—to Baledogle in a helicopter.
The project falls under the purview of the Virginia-based defense contractor Pacific Architects and Engineers, one of a few companies that support the United States African Command in Somalia. Neither Africom nor the defense contractor would confirm the project, citing security concerns. In October 2018, with broad bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate allocated $60 billion in loans to governments in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to fund infrastructure projects. The fund, overseen by a new government agency—the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation—is viewed as a soft power move to counter China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build a network of railroads and shipping lanes that will span over than 70 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. “it is much more likely that this project is driven by logistical considerations related to long-standing U.S. military engagement in the region rather than a reaction to China.” Robert Schrire.
Crescent Shift 