Somali elder killed in airstrike in Ceelbur, AFRICOM confirms operation

A prominent Somali elder was killed in an airstrike on September 13 in the Sanaag region, triggering condemnation from local leaders and fueling protests on the ground.

The airstrike killed Cumar C/laahi Cabdi Ibraahim as he traveled near the village of Jiicanyo, on the road between Ceelbuur and Badhan. According to a statement from elders in the region, the elder “was targeted by three missiles in an aerial attack while traveling alone.”

Community leaders swiftly denounced the strike and called on regional authorities to intervene. “We call upon the President and all relevant Puntland government bodies to provide an immediate response and to hold accountable all individuals responsible for orchestrating or facilitating the attack,” the elders said.

The newly recognized federal member state of Northeastern Somalia, which attained recognition earlier this month, also issued a condemnation. In a statement, the administration condemned what it described as “a heinous act targeting a respected community elder, which constitutes a blatant violation of Somali dignity, human life, and peace.”

The statement went further, raising alarm over what they described a foreign military activity in the area: “We also condemn the presence of unidentified aircraft operating in the airspace over the Sanaag region, which have instilled fear among the local population and pose a serious threat to regional stability and security in Northeastern Somalia.”

Puntland's Minister of Information, Mahmoud Aidid, told the BBC that an investigation had been launched, while local residents reported protests in the aftermath of the strike.

For four days, responsibility for the attack remained unclear, with no immediate claims from Somali authorities or international partners.

On September 17, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) acknowledged conducting an operation. “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted airstrikes targeting an al-Shabaab weapons dealer on Sept. 13, 2025. The airstrikes occurred in the vicinity of Badhan, Somalia,” the command stated.

AFRICOM’s statement provided no additional details and did not specify the identity of the target or the results of the strikes.

The U.S. military has escalated its air campaign in Somalia this year. More than 80 airstrikes have been carried out in 2025 alone, bringing the total number of U.S. strikes in Somalia to over 400.