PENTAGON (Halbeeg News) – The United States has admitted that its drones strike operation in Somalia has resulted in civilian casualties.
Pentagon said a woman and child were killed by an American drone strike in Somalia last April.
This marks the first time America has admitted to causing civilian casualties during its air campaign in Somalia against the armed group al-Shabaab.
Washington had denied claims by the Human Rights group, Amnesty International that more than ten Somalis were killed during five separate raids in the southern part of the horn of the Africa state which has a strong al-Shabaab militant presence.
The US had earlier said that the attacks had killed 800 people, none of them civilians.
In a press conference on Friday, military officials said an internal review had been conducted following Amnesty International report questions from Congress and a spike in strikes.
The review was ordered by General Thomas Waldhauser, head of US Africa Command (AFRICOM). It identified a “break down in reporting” which meant new information was not reported to AFRICOM, leading commanders to make erroneous claims about civilian casualties.
The US began air strikes in support of the federal government of Somalia against al-Shabab militants in 2011 under the direction of President Obama.
The air raids intensified since the election of president Donald Trump.
According to official figures, 110 air strikes have been carried out against militants in the past two years.
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