Somali Officials Deny AFRICOM’s Account, Say U.S. Airstrike Killed Respected Elder

Senior officials in Somalia’s Sanaag region have strongly refuted a U.S. military report claiming that a man killed in a recent American airstrike was an arms dealer for the al-Shabab militant group.

The dispute centers on the death of Caaqil Omar Abdillahi Abdi, a traditional elder killed on September 13, 2025, in the Jicanyo area near Ceel Buh district. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated it targeted an al-Shabab arms dealer in the region but did not identify the individual. Local officials insist the details of the strike align exactly with the time and place of Omar’s death and maintain he was an innocent community leader.

“This was an unexpected and shocking incident,” said Faisal Abdillahi, the Sanaag regional intelligence chief. “A man driving his car was bombed from the air. We, the officials, had no prior knowledge or warning. The deceased was a prominent figure who worked closely with the community. We don’t understand why he was targeted.”

Abdillahi stated there were no known allegations linking the elder to militant groups. “We have never heard of any terrorist charges against him. People are now terrified whenever they hear aircraft overhead. We need to know why he was killed and who authorized it.”

Military Commanders Echo Condemnation

Brig. Gen. Abdillahi Omar Anshuur, commander of the Puntland Dervish Forces’ 9th Division for the Sanaag and Hayland regions, emphasized Omar’s long record of service.

“I knew Caaqil Omar for decades—we worked together along the coast in the 1980s,” Anshuur said. “He was a peacemaker who helped defend Puntland during conflicts with al-Shabab and ISIS. His killing was illegal and unjust.”

The general revealed that Omar had been in Bosaso for 20 days prior to his death and had even met with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni. “If he were guilty of anything, he would have been arrested, not bombed,” Anshuur asserted, adding that the airstrike has sown fear and instability. “We want answers. This deliberate killing has created confusion and insecurity among our people.”

Col. Aden Ahmed Ali, the regional police commander, said local authorities were initially left in the dark. “For a week, we searched for answers. Only later did AFRICOM release a short statement confirming it carried out an airstrike but without naming the target,” Ali explained.

“The date and location matched the attack that killed Chief Omar. He was not hiding in the bush or on any wanted list. He was a public figure, known for protecting the community and working with the government,” Col. Ali stated. “We are certain he was not a terrorist. The United States must explain why a respected peacemaker was hit with three missiles. We call on Washington to provide a clear answer.”

Regional Governor Demands Clarification

The governor of Puntland’s Sanaag region, Said Ahmed Jama, described Omar as “a well-known community figure and problem-solver.”

“He was involved in development and mediation work,” the governor said. “There were no complaints, rumors, or charges against him. The regional administration was never informed of any accusations. We are awaiting clarification from the U.S. on why this man was targeted.”

Governor Jama added that the regional administration “worked closely with the late Caaqil Omar and is deeply dissatisfied with how he was killed. We are calling for justice.”

Calls for Transparency Grow

The denials from regional authorities come amid growing protests in Sanaag and parts of Puntland, where community members are demanding transparency from the U.S. government. Families and local leaders have called on Washington to release evidence supporting its claim that the strike targeted an al-Shabab operative.

AFRICOM has conducted airstrikes in Somalia for nearly two decades, targeting al-Shabab and Islamic State fighters. The command states its operations are carefully planned to minimize civilian casualties. However, Somali officials and human rights organizations have long criticized the U.S. for a lack of transparency and accountability. Independent investigations have occasionally found that civilians—including community leaders—have been killed in mistaken or poorly verified strikes.