Neelam Rahim – neelam@radioislam.co.za

2 min read – 17:08 CAT

The U.S. military said on Wednesday it had killed 27 fighters from the al Shabaab militant group in an air strike in Somalia’s central Hiran region, where the army and allied forces have launched an offensive against the insurgents in the last month.

For years, the United States has been carrying out air strikes in Somalia against al Shabaab, an al Qaeda franchise. Sunday’s strike was the sixth recorded in 2022, according to the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) website.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, a Somali philanthropist based in South Africa, Hassan Abdullah Alim, said the report of the U.S. strike killing cannot be confirmed on the ground even though Somalia civilians are accusing the American air strikes. 

According to Hassan, American air strikes have not held the Somalis liberated from Al Shabaab. 

Regarding the justification from the U.S. for the air strikes, Hassan said they undermine reporters, and there is no clear transparency. Nor are there independent investigators that investigate these attacks. 

The air strikes mainly hit the Al Shabaab regions without internet and limited information. 

Hassan added that a fight against Al Shabaab could not be defeated through air strikes but through ideological war supporting the ministers and cities of Somalia. 

Meanwhile, the air strikes are angering civilians causing them to join Al Shabaab.

Listen below to the interview with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat and Hassan Abdullah Alim on Radio Islam’s podcast.