(22-05-23) MOGADISHU – In a statement on Monday, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) reported that there were no new civilian casualties in its operations in Somalia for the 2nd quarter ending March 31, 2023. This is the 13th consecutive report since AFRICOM initiated its casualty assessment reports in April 2020, maintaining its commitment to transparency and accountability in the ongoing battle against Al-Shabaab.
According to the report, there were no open reports of civilian casualties carried over from previous quarters, and no new assessments are currently open or under review.
AFRICOM has continued to lend its support to Somalia in its fight against Al-Shabab and to the US-trained Danab Brigade, an elite Somali military group, helping in targeted operations and providing surveillance for drone operations against Al-Shabaab. The command continues to take seriously all reports of possible civilian casualties and maintains a robust process to conduct thorough assessments using all available information.
The report highlighted the occasional discrepancies between AFRICOM’s assessments and those of Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). It noted that the command’s information is derived from reliable, layered intelligence sources and classified operational reporting, which is not available to the public, contributing to the perceived discrepancies.
In terms of defining ‘civilian’ and ‘combatant,’ the Department of Defense (DoD) only includes members of the civilian population who were wounded or killed as a direct result of US military operations. It does not include individuals who forfeited their protections of civilian status by engaging in hostilities.
With no new completed assessments and no open incidents, AFRICOM continues its commitment to review and assess any reports of civilian harm, substantiating its dedication to minimising civilian casualties in its fight against Al-Shabaab in Somalia. While critics often question these reports, AFRICOM’s continual commitment to transparency is an important factor in building trust with the Somali people and the international community.
