The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) executed an airstrike near Jilib, southern Somalia, targeting the al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabaab. Following this strike, al-Shabaab claimed that two Cuban doctors, Assel Herrera and Landy Rodriguez, who had been kidnapped by the group in April 2019 from Mandera County, Kenya, were killed. This assertion by al-Shabaab was communicated through a statement relayed by the SITE Intelligence Group, marking the first time the group has acknowledged holding the two Cubans captive.
In response to these claims, AFRICOM has stated it is assessing the results of the operation and has acknowledged the reports of civilian casualties, emphasizing a commitment to investigate these allegations thoroughly. A US defense official noted the absence of credible evidence of civilian casualties but affirmed the serious approach taken towards such allegations.
The two Cuban nationals were part of a medical team sent by Cuba to Kenya, aimed at addressing the country’s medical professional shortage through a bilateral agreement. Their abduction and the subsequent killing of a police officer during the incident highlighted the risks faced by foreign medical staff in conflict-affected regions.
AFRICOM’s operations in Somalia, including this recent airstrike, are part of broader US efforts to support the Somali government in its fight against al-Shabaab. The US has a limited military presence in the country, focusing on airstrikes against militant targets and training Somali military forces.
AFRICOM has conducted several airstrikes in Somalia in 2024, with this operation being part of ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab’s threat in the region. The group’s statement criticizes the US intelligence and operational conduct, framing the strike as evidence of faulty intelligence and operational recklessness.
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