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Sanaag airstrike controversy grows as family, elders reject al-Shabab link

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Tuesday September 23, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — A U.S. airstrike in northern Somalia has ignited controversy after residents said it killed a respected clan elder, while American and Somali officials maintained the operation targeted an arms dealer linked to al-Shabab.
The strike took place Sept. 13 near El Buh in the Sanaag region. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed it conducted what it called a “precision airstrike” that day, saying the intended target was “an al-Shabab weapons dealer responsible for procuring and transferring illegal weapons.” The command did not identify the individual in its statement.

Community leaders identified the man killed as Aqil Omar Abdullahi Ali, a respected elder widely known for mediating disputes. Elders in Ceelbuh condemned the strike, calling it an attack on their traditions and dignity.
Asked by the BBC to confirm whether Abdullahi Ali was the person killed, AFRICOM said it had no additional information beyond what was included in its statement. The command said all allegations of civilian harm are reviewed and findings published in quarterly reports, but it did not confirm whether a review specific to this strike was underway.
Hussein Haji Yusuf, also known as Indha-deero, another elder from Ceelbuh, told the BBC that Abdullahi Ali was a respected peacemaker whose death shocked the community. He denied the elder was involved in weapons trafficking or extremist activity.
A Somali government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the BBC the strike did in fact target Abdullahi Ali. The official described him as a “senior facilitator” of organized crime who supplied weapons to both al-Shabab and ISIS and maintained contacts with Yemen’s Houthi movement. The official said the operation followed weeks of surveillance and caused no civilian casualties. The federal government has not issued an official statement.
AFRICOM said that allegations of civilian harm are reviewed and published in quarterly reports but did not say if a review was underway for this strike.
Al-Shabab denied Abdullahi Ali was linked to the group.
The conflicting claims by AFRICOM, Somali officials, al-Shabab, and community leaders have raised questions over why neither Washington nor Mogadishu has publicly identified the man as the intended target.
AFRICOM has reported 55 strikes in Somalia so far this year, including 31 against ISIS fighters in the Puntland mountains and the rest against al-Shabab. The U.S. military has relied heavily on airstrikes in Somalia, though they have at times resulted in civilian casualties and drawn criticism over transparency.

With files from the BBC Somali Service

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