Senior officials in Somalia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s death and maintain he was an innocent community leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis was an unexpected and shocking incident,\u201d said Faisal Abdillahi, the Sanaag regional intelligence chief. \u201cA 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\u2019t understand why he was targeted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abdillahi stated there were no known allegations linking the elder to militant groups. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Military Commanders Echo Condemnation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brig. Gen. Abdillahi Omar Anshuur, commander of the Puntland Dervish Forces\u2019 9th Division for the Sanaag and Hayland regions, emphasized Omar\u2019s long record of service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI knew Caaqil Omar for decades\u2014we worked together along the coast in the 1980s,\u201d Anshuur said. \u201cHe was a peacemaker who helped defend Puntland during conflicts with al-Shabab and ISIS. His killing was illegal and unjust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. \u201cIf he were guilty of anything, he would have been arrested, not bombed,\u201d Anshuur asserted, adding that the airstrike has sown fear and instability. \u201cWe want answers. This deliberate killing has created confusion and insecurity among our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Col. Aden Ahmed Ali, the regional police commander, said local authorities were initially left in the dark. \u201cFor 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,\u201d Ali explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d Col. Ali stated. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regional Governor Demands Clarification<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The governor of Puntland’s Sanaag region, Said Ahmed Jama, described Omar as \u201ca well-known community figure and problem-solver.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was involved in development and mediation work,\u201d the governor said. \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governor Jama added that the regional administration \u201cworked closely with the late Caaqil Omar and is deeply dissatisfied with how he was killed. We are calling for justice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calls for Transparency Grow<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014including community leaders\u2014have been killed in mistaken or poorly verified strikes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Senior officials in Somalia\u2019s 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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1475,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1474","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-human-rights","category-somalia"],"yoast_head":"\n