Caaqil News - A comprehensive investigative report published by The Washington Post, one of the leading newspapers in the United States, has revealed that more than 40 Somali civilians have died unintentionally in drone strikes carried out by Turkish armed drones since 2022. These drone strikes, which are part of Turkey’s counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia, have reportedly caused significant collateral damage and sparked growing concern over Turkey’s military footprint in the Horn of Africa.
The report cites multiple sources, eyewitness testimonies, and satellite imagery analysis to conclude that a significant number of civilians were killed in airstrikes meant to target members of the militant group Al-Shabaab. In most of these incidents, no credible evidence has been provided linking those killed to any militant activity, raising serious concerns about the accuracy of intelligence and the chain of command governing Turkish drone operations in Somalia.
Two Deadliest Strikes: Quracley and Mubarak
The Washington Post investigation highlights two drone strikes in particular that resulted in the highest civilian death tolls.
Quracley – September 9, 2022: A Turkish drone reportedly fired a missile at a location in Quracley, a small town in the Middle Shabelle region. According to local witnesses, seven civilians, including women and children, were killed as they were resting under a tree. Among the dead was an 8-year-old boy. None of those killed had any known connections to militant groups.
Mubarak – January 2023: Another drone strike occurred in the Lower Shabelle region, this time in the town of Mubarak. In this instance, eight civilians were killed, most of them while traveling in a civilian vehicle. Eyewitness accounts indicate there was no visible militant activity in the area at the time of the strike.
In both incidents, local leaders and community members have demanded investigations and accountability. However, the Somali Federal Government and Turkish authorities have so far remained silent or evasive on the matter.
Ramadaan 2025: Strike Kills 23 Civilians Near Mogadishu
A more recent incident occurred during the holy month of Ramadan in 2025, in which a drone strike near Mogadishu killed 23 civilians, all of them believed to be fasting at the time. The victims were gathered in an open area near a market in the outskirts of the capital when the strike took place.
Eyewitnesses reported that there was no military presence or militant activity in the vicinity when the drone fired its missile. The sudden attack caused panic and fear among the local population, and several community members have since fled the area, fearing further strikes.
This latest incident has intensified calls for a reassessment of Turkey’s military operations in Somalia, especially regarding the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in densely populated civilian areas.
Reassessing Turkey’s Military Role in Somalia and the Horn of Africa
Turkey has significantly expanded its military presence in Somalia in recent years, establishing bases, training Somali forces, and providing advanced weaponry, including drones. The Turkish military base in Mogadishu, Camp TURKSOM, has been operational since 2017 and serves as one of Turkey’s largest overseas military installations.
While Turkey’s involvement has been praised for strengthening Somali security institutions and countering Al-Shabaab, these civilian casualties now cast a shadow over its broader strategic goals. Human rights organizations are now questioning whether Turkey has appropriate rules of engagement and accountability mechanisms for its drone operations in Africa.
Furthermore, Turkish officials have not provided transparent public reporting of their drone strikes, unlike their American counterparts who, under mounting public pressure, have begun to release post-strike assessments including civilian casualty counts.
Comparison With U.S. Drone Operations in Somalia
The United States has long operated drones in Somalia under the banner of its war on terror. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has conducted hundreds of drone strikes since 2007. In response to mounting criticism and credible reports of civilian harm, the U.S. government introduced a more transparent policy in recent years. This includes publishing quarterly reports detailing the number of civilian casualties and conducting post-strike assessments.
Turkey, on the other hand, has no publicly available policy or independent oversight mechanism for drone strikes. There is no known internal or external auditing body reviewing Turkish drone activity in Somalia, nor has the Turkish government acknowledged any civilian deaths resulting from its operations.
Analysts warn that without transparency and accountability, Turkish drone operations risk repeating the same mistakes that once haunted U.S. counterterrorism policy — alienating local populations and feeding anti-foreign sentiment.
Growing Fear and Distrust Among Somali Civilians
The repeated drone strikes and mounting civilian casualties have instilled fear and suspicion among many Somali communities, especially in the central and southern regions of the country. People now associate the sound of drones with death, displacement, and grief.
One resident of Quracley, who declined to be named for security reasons, told The Washington Post:
You hear the buzzing sound, and you pray. You don’t know if you are the next target. You don’t know if the drone sees you as a terrorist. We live in fear every day.”
Parents are reportedly keeping children indoors, and local markets have seen reduced activity in areas frequently patrolled by drones. In some areas, people have begun to flee en masse, fearing they may be next in line to suffer collateral damage.
Lack of Accountability and Independent Investigations
Despite the growing number of casualties, neither the Somali government nor Turkish military officials have agreed to launch independent investigations into these drone strikes. Families of the victims continue to call for justice, compensation, and official acknowledgment of their loved ones’ deaths.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the lack of oversight and are calling for the establishment of independent commissions to review the legality and consequences of Turkey’s drone operations in Somalia.
A report by Human Rights Watch from early 2025 stated:
Turkey’s growing military involvement in Somalia must come with a responsibility to protect civilians. The rising civilian toll indicates a failure to adhere to international humanitarian law standards.”
Somali Government Caught in the Middle
The Somali Federal Government is in a precarious position. On one hand, it relies heavily on Turkish military support to maintain its fragile hold over parts of the country, especially in the face of ongoing threats from Al-Shabaab. On the other hand, it must answer to its citizens, many of whom are now mourning the loss of innocent lives.
Critics argue that the Somali government has failed to hold its allies accountable and has remained silent in the face of grave human rights violations. This silence is being interpreted by some as complicity or fear of jeopardizing military and financial support from Ankara.
A Somali opposition MP recently stated in parliament:
No ally, no matter how generous, should be above the law. If our friends harm our people, we have a duty to speak up.”
International Reaction and Legal Implications
The growing number of civilian deaths has also caught the attention of international legal experts and United Nations observers. According to experts in international humanitarian law, states operating drones in conflict zones are required to minimize harm to civilians, verify targets, and conduct thorough post-strike assessments.
If Turkey is found to have neglected these obligations, it could face mounting diplomatic pressure and even potential legal consequences under international law.
Several UN Special Rapporteurs on extrajudicial killings and counterterrorism are reportedly preparing to release a joint statement demanding greater transparency and an independent investigation into the use of Turkish drones in Somalia.
Conclusion: The Urgent Need for Transparency and Civilian Protection
The Washington Post’s report has reignited the debate over foreign military interventions in Somalia and the cost of counterterrorism operations on innocent civilians. It highlights the need for Turkey and all international actors involved in Somalia to prioritize civilian protection, transparency, and accountability.
While the fight against Al-Shabaab remains a legitimate and ongoing concern, experts argue that reckless use of military force undermines the very objective of establishing peace and stability in the country.
- Somali civil society organizations, families of victims, and international watchdogs are now calling for:
- Immediate independent investigations into all drone strikes resulting in civilian casualties.
- Public acknowledgment and compensation for families of the victims.
- Clear rules of engagement and oversight mechanisms governing the use of drones by foreign militaries.
- A reassessment of Turkey’s military role in Somalia in light of these revelations.
As the Somali people continue to grapple with insecurity from both terrorist groups and unregulated military interventions, the path forward must be one of justice, accountability, and the reaffirmation of the right to life — even amid war.
