Somalia: US Navy SEAL killed in raid near Barii May 5

Event

A US Navy SEAL was reportedly killed and two more were wounded during a raid on an Al-Shabaab compound near Barii (west of Mogadishu, also spelled Barij or Bariire) on Friday, May 5. US forces were accompanying Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers during the assault that began before dawn. Although US forces were assigned to advise and assist SNA soldiers and were not part of the team entering the compound, a firefight broke out during the early stages of the mission before US personnel could take cover. They are the first US military personnel to be killed in combat in Somalia since the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu, also known as Black Hawk Down, which left 18 military personnel dead.

Context

United States President Donald Trump signed a directive on March 30 allowing the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) more flexibility in conducting air strikes and ground operations in Somalia. The directive, which will last for at least 180 days, allows US forces to carry out offensive airstrikes against suspected Al-Shabaab fighters as well as provides for direct support to local or regional forces. Under the directive, US Special Forces are also able to conduct more ground operations in the country.

Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qa'ida affiliate in East Africa, often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia. Although the group has lost control of most Somali towns and cities, it retains control of certain rural areas in central and southern Somalia, which are used as bases from which to launch attacks.

Advice

Due to extremely poor security conditions, Western governments generally advise their citizens against all travel to Somalia; professional security advice and support should be sought prior to travel.