U.S. forces conducts medical evacuation of injured civilians in support of the Federal Government of Somalia

On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia.

By U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs , United States Africa Command Stuttgart, Germany Sep 08, 2023

View Gallery

Gallery contains 1 image

On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia.

The 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.

U.S. forces were not onsite for the operation and did not conduct air strikes during or in support of the operation.

In response to a request from the Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command medically evacuated injured civilians.

The claim being spread by al Shabaab that U.S. forces caused the unfortunate harm to civilians is false.

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

AFRICOM Commander Assesses East in First African Trip

U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia

AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa

Gen. Michael Langley

U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, concluded a two-week operation Aug. 23, 2025, that included multiple airstrikes targeting ISIS-Somalia in the Puntland region of Somalia.

U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report

U.S. Forces Conduct Series of Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab

(this is an update to the previous August 1, 2025 press release)

U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia

U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report

U.S. Forces Conduct Series of Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab

(this is an update to the previous August 1, 2025 press release)

U.S. Forces Conclude Operation Targeting ISIS-Somalia

U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian Harm Assessment Report

U.S. Forces Conduct Series of Strikes Supporting Somali National Army, Targeting al Shabaab

(this is an update to the previous August 1, 2025 press release)

United States Africa Command

U.S. forces conducts medical evacuation of injured civilians in support of the Federal Government of Somalia

On September 6, 2023, a Somali national force conducted a counter-terrorism operation in the vicinity of El-Lahelay, Somalia.

africom_logo_jpgrelease_thumbnail