U.S. Africa Command denied the findings, saying it conducted post-strike analyses “using intelligence methods not available to non-military organizations.”
By Max Bearak Max Bearak Africa bureau chief based in Nairobi Email Bio Follow March 19 at 8:01 PM NAIROBI — For years, the U.S. military has denied that any of its airstrikes in Somalia against the extremist group al-Shabab have resulted in civilian casualties, but a new report released Tuesday by Amnesty International alleges that 14 civilians were killed in five airstrikes in 2017 and 2018.
In response to the report, U.S. Africa Command released its own assessments of the five highlighted strikes and maintained that they caused no civilian casualties, arguing that Amnesty’s capability to gather intelligence in a war zone couldn’t compare to the military’s. The report says the civilian casualties it documents resulted from strikes that “may amount to war crimes.”
In a written response to the report, AFRICOM maintained that it goes to “extraordinary lengths” to avoid civilian casualties and said it conducted post-strike analyses “using intelligence methods not available to non-military organizations.” It said that in 110 strikes since June 2017, 800 al-Shabab fighters had been killed. The statement also appeared to accuse Amnesty of falling for al-Shabab propaganda.
Al-Shabab once controlled much of Somalia, imposing a strict version of sharia law, but since 2011 it has lost control in most urban areas. It still controls much of Somalia’s rural south.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion | Tesla’s new SUV model shows just how silly the Green New Deal really isIf the Green New Deal's authors really wanted to reduce emissions, they'd work on improving energy technology.
Read more »
No new natural gas hookups in New York's Westchester County, Con Ed saysNew York energy company Consolidated Edison Inc said on Friday it still plans to...
Read more »
New Mexico compound suspects face new charges of planning to attack law enforcement officersAuthorities accused suspects living at the compoud of transporting weapons across state lines to New Mexico, and training children at a firing range on the property to carry out school shootings and other attacks that never occurred.
Read more »
New York debuts massive art park, new neighborhoodPart art, part park, Vessel is a vertical structure that winds up 150 feet into the air. It’s made up of 154 staircases and 80 platforms, zigzagging together to form a web that’s nearly a mile long. It’s part of New York City’s newest development -- Hudson Yards.
Read more »
New Algerian PM says new government will be 'technocratic''Algeria's new prime minister, Noureddine Bedoui, said on Thursday he would ...
Read more »
PG&E Close to Naming New CEO, New BoardPG&E, the troubled California utility whose lines have sparked some of California’s deadly wildfires, is expected to name a new CEO and a new board of directors as it faces potentially billions of dollars in liability claims
Read more »
New gun laws will make New Zealand safer after mosque massacre, says PM ArdernNew gun laws will make New Zealand safer after mosque massacre, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern by char_greenfield TSWestbrook
Read more »
New Zealand shooting: Prime minister says gun reforms are comingNew Zealand to unveil new gun laws after deadly attack on mosques
Read more »
New gun laws to make New Zealand safer after mosque shootings, says PM ArdernNew gun laws will make New Zealand safer after mosque massacre, says Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern via char_greenfield TSWestbrook
Read more »