Somalia: Civilians killed during raid near Barire August 25

Event

Somali National Army (SNA) officials confirmed that civilians were killed during a raid on a farm near Barire, Lower Shabelle region, on Friday, August 25. The deputy governor of the region claims that ten people were killed; the military has not yet confirmed how many civilians casualties occurred during the operation. The US Africa Command also acknowledged that American military personnel supported the SNA forces in the raid. Local media sources reported that hundreds of residents protested in the town following the killings. A committee formed by the Deputy Prime Minister arrived in the town on Monday, August 28, to investigate the incident. The group has five working days to report their findings and additional protests related to the deaths may occur in Barire and Mogadishu in the coming days.

Context

Barire was recaptured from Al-Shabaab militants on August 19 by SNA soldiers supported by US troops. US forces have become more active in Somalia since President Donald Trump approved expanded operations against the armed group earlier this year.

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and United Nations-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia. It is also responsible for a number of attacks and kidnappings targeting humanitarian organizations operating in the country.

Advice

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