Drone Strike Mistakenly Hits Anti-Al-Shabaab Militia in Somalia, Killing 12

MOGADISHU, Somalia – A drone strike in central Somalia mistakenly hit a pro-government militia, killing at least 12 fighters, officials and residents said on Sunday.

The strike occurred near Moqokori, a town in the Hiran region where Somali government troops and the Ma’awisley militia were engaged in coordinated operations aimed at pushing back Al-Shabaab insurgents. The two forces have been working closely in recent years to reclaim territory from the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.

A senior regional security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the drone was part of ongoing counterterrorism operations but misidentified the target, striking fighters from the Ma’awisley militia.

“Twelve members of the Ma’awisley militia were killed and dozens wounded in the strike,” the official said. “It was a tragic mistake, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the misfire.”

Residents confirmed the strike, saying the militia had recently returned from patrol when they were hit. “We heard a loud explosion and saw smoke rising from the area where the fighters had gathered,” said Hassan Abdi, a resident near Moqokori.

The Somali federal government has not issued an official statement, and it remains unclear whether the drone was operated by Somali forces or international partners, including the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which regularly carries out airstrikes in Somalia targeting Al-Shabaab.

The Ma’awisley militias, made up of local clan fighters, have played a key role in recent offensives aimed at dislodging Al-Shabaab from rural strongholds in central Somalia. The deadly incident risks straining ties between federal forces and community militias, whose collaboration has been crucial to recent battlefield gains and future operations.

GAROWE ONLINE