Caaqil News - Additional information is emerging regarding a powerful overnight airstrike that rocked the vicinity of Basra, a strategically significant area located between the towns of Balcad and Afgoye, straddling the border between the Middle Shabelle and Lower Shabelle regions of Somalia.
According to multiple sources on the ground, the airstrike took place around 1:30 AM, and its tremors were widely heard in both Balcad and Afgoye. Basra is known to be an operational base for senior Al-Shabaab commanders, particularly those coordinating attacks and movement between the two Shabelle regions.
Eyewitnesses Describe Loud Blasts Overnight
Eyewitnesses residing near Basra reported hearing massive explosions, with some saying they were unlike anything heard in recent weeks. The sounds of drones were also mentioned by several local sources, suggesting that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were involved in the operation.
One local resident told the media:
We heard huge blasts during the night. It shook the ground, and we believe an Al-Shabaab hideout was targeted. But the area is dangerous, and no one dares to get close enough to see what really happened.”
Sources close to Somali security intelligence reported that the strike may have specifically targeted a high-ranking Al-Shabaab compound, though it remains unclear whether the operation succeeded in eliminating key figures or how many casualties were sustained.
No Official Statement Yet
As of the time of this report, no official statements have been released by:
The Federal Government of Somalia
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM)
Or any other allied foreign governments involved in counterterrorism in Somalia
This leaves several key questions unanswered, including:
- Who carried out the airstrike?
- What was the specific target?
- Were there any civilian casualties?
- What is the scale of the damage?
Analysts and observers believe it’s likely that either the United States or Turkey carried out the strike, as both nations have conducted similar operations in the region in recent years.
Why Basra Matters
Basra holds strategic value due to several reasons:
It sits at a junction point between two critical regions—Middle and Lower Shabelle.
Al-Shabaab uses it as a logistics corridor between its southern and central strongholds.
It is frequently used as a meeting point for commanders planning operations against Somali and international forces.
Due to this strategic importance, Basra has been targeted before, but the intensity of last night’s strike suggests that a high-value target may have been present.
The Broader Air Campaign in 2025
The airstrike is part of a broader trend in 2025 that has seen a sharp increase in aerial operations by international allies, particularly against the militant groups Al-Shabaab and the Somali faction of ISIS (Daesh).
According to previous AFRICOM press briefings, there have been more than 18 airstrikes since January 2025 targeting:
Al-Shabaab camps
Daesh hideouts in the Galgala mountains
Key movement corridors in central and southern Somalia
An AFRICOM spokesperson stated earlier this year:
Precision airstrikes remain a key tool in disrupting and dismantling the command structure of extremist groups. We are committed to minimizing civilian casualties and maximizing intelligence-driven targeting.”
This strategy has shifted from broad bombardments to surgical strikes designed to neutralize leadership, eliminate training facilities, and dismantle supply chains.
Public Fear and Aftermath in Basra
Residents in Basra and the surrounding areas have reported heightened fear and anxiety following the strike. Many worry that Al-Shabaab might retaliate by tightening control or launching new attacks on nearby towns or against civilians they suspect of collaborating with government forces.
There are also reports that several families have fled Basra and nearby villages, fearing renewed clashes or additional airstrikes in the coming days.
One elder from a nearby village said:
We are scared. When these strikes happen, we don’t know who was hit, but we also fear that Al-Shabaab might think locals helped provide information. It becomes dangerous for everyone.”
A Silent Battle: Turkey vs. U.S. in Somali Airspace?
This latest strike comes at a time when Turkey’s military role in Somalia is also under growing scrutiny, especially following recent reports that Turkish drone operations since 2022 may have inadvertently killed more than 40 Somali civilians, according to a Washington Post investigation.
Though the United States has been criticized for its own deadly airstrikes in the past, AFRICOM now reports civilian casualty numbers and details the outcome of each strike publicly. In contrast, Turkey has not provided such transparency, raising tensions between local communities and foreign military partners.
This has led some Somali lawmakers and civil society groups to call for greater oversight of foreign military operations inside Somalia, particularly aerial strikes that risk collateral damage and eroding public trust.
Could This Be a Turning Point?
This airstrike may represent more than just a tactical hit. It could also signal:
A renewed push to eliminate top-tier Al-Shabaab leadership
A shift in intelligence-sharing among international partners
Or even a larger operation underway to clear vital areas before a renewed Somali-led offensive.
Given that no official confirmation has been issued yet, it remains to be seen whether the airstrike was a standalone operation or the beginning of a larger coordinated campaign.
If Al-Shabaab suffered heavy losses—especially among its leadership—the strike could cripple their operations in Shabelle, slow down recruitment, and create an opening for Somali National Army (SNA) and ATMIS troops to reclaim more territory.
Conclusion
While the full scale and impact of the overnight airstrike near Basra are yet to be confirmed, early indications suggest that it was a precision operation targeting a major Al-Shabaab installation. Whether carried out by the United States, Turkey, or another international actor, the strike highlights the evolving nature of warfare in Somalia—from ground battles to high-tech drone strikes based on real-time intelligence.
The Somali public, meanwhile, waits for clarity:
- Was the operation successful?
- Who ordered it?
- Were civilians harmed?
- And what comes next?
With tensions already high across the country and ongoing threats from extremist groups, the need for transparency, accountability, and cooperation between the Somali government and its military allies is more urgent than ever.
The coming days will likely bring new revelations, and possibly more operations, as the fight against Al-Shabaab continues to intensify in Somalia’s southern and central regions.
