OcceanDrive2
09-01-2007, 20:23
US airstrike kills 19 in southern Somalia.
MOGADISHU - At least 19 civilians were killed when a US gunship pounded alleged hideouts of Al-Qaeda suspects in southern Somalia, local elders have said.
They told AFP Tuesday the fatalities occured in two areas that were hit in a raid on Monday, the first overt US military intervention in Somalia since the early 1990s.
"At least 15 people were killed in the early strike... All of them were civilians and they were in Bankajira village," said Mahomed Sheikh Hassan, an elder in Dhobley township.
"At least four civilians were killed and others wounded in nearby Baabso and Bulohaji villages when they were hit by the Americans," said Osmael Adama Korane, a resident of Afmadow.
Dhobley and Afmadow townships lie north of the sites attacked by the America AC-130 gunship, a fixed wing aircraft equipped with rapid firing guns.
"Absolutely. A lot of people were killed," government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told AFP. "So many dead people were lying in the area, we do not know who is who, but the raid was a success."
Sources: YahooNEWS/AFP/OcceanNEWS©2004 - 2007
My2cents: 19 civileans killed?.. If we take into acount the Gov satetement.. "So many dead people were lying in the area, we do not know who is who, but the raid was a success."
This rare time the Gov statement tends to be more accurate.. but I do expect soemone to be fired.
MOGADISHU - At least 19 civilians were killed when a US gunship pounded alleged hideouts of Al-Qaeda suspects in southern Somalia, local elders have said.
They told AFP Tuesday the fatalities occured in two areas that were hit in a raid on Monday, the first overt US military intervention in Somalia since the early 1990s.
"At least 15 people were killed in the early strike... All of them were civilians and they were in Bankajira village," said Mahomed Sheikh Hassan, an elder in Dhobley township.
"At least four civilians were killed and others wounded in nearby Baabso and Bulohaji villages when they were hit by the Americans," said Osmael Adama Korane, a resident of Afmadow.
Dhobley and Afmadow townships lie north of the sites attacked by the America AC-130 gunship, a fixed wing aircraft equipped with rapid firing guns.
"Absolutely. A lot of people were killed," government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari told AFP. "So many dead people were lying in the area, we do not know who is who, but the raid was a success."
Sources: YahooNEWS/AFP/OcceanNEWS©2004 - 2007
My2cents: 19 civileans killed?.. If we take into acount the Gov satetement.. "So many dead people were lying in the area, we do not know who is who, but the raid was a success."
This rare time the Gov statement tends to be more accurate.. but I do expect soemone to be fired.