Jaffey farm airstrike

On 18 March 2024, Turkish Drone Bayraktar strikes hit the Jaffey farm, about three kilometers west of Bagdad village in the Lower Shabelle region, between 8 pm and 8.30 pm. The TB2 killed 23 civilians including 14 children, five women, and four men. Another 17 civilians were injured in the strikes: 11 children, two women and four men. All victims from the marginalized Gorgaarte clan.

Jaffey farm airstrike
Part of Somali Civil War and the Somali civil war (2009–present)
Type	Airstrike
Date	18 March 2024 (2024-03-18)
Executed by	Turkish Bayraktar, assigned to TB2, Turkish Air Force
Casualties	23 civilians inclued 14 children and 5 women killed over 17 injured included 11 children and 2 women injured

Two strikes that killed 23 civilians during Somali military operations supported by Turkish drones is investigated as war crimes, according to Amnesty International.

The Victims and other residents confirmed the drone strikes followed heavy ground fighting that started earlier that day between the armed group Al-Shabaab and Somali Armed Forces close to the villages of Jambalul and Bagdad.

Background

The federal government of Somalia has initiated a significant military offensive against the al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group, al-Shabab, which holds control over extensive territories in southern and central Somalia. This offensive is led by the highly trained Danab Brigade, which has received specialized training from the United States. the operation is receiving air support from both American and Turkish forces, indicating a concerted effort by international allies to combat the threat posed by al-Shabab in Somalia.

The ongoing armed conflict between the Federal Government of Somalia and Al-Shabaab is a devastating impact on civilians. According to Amnesty International documentation, both sides have been found guilty of serious violations of international humanitarian law. Specifically, their document has reported a series of airstrikes conducted by the United States Africa Command resulting in the deaths and injuries of Somali civilians. These incidents have raised concerns about potential breaches of international humanitarian law by AFRICOM.

Deadly strikes

On March 18, 2024, Amnesty International conducted an interview with an eyewitness who reported the presence of Al-Shabaab fighters in Bagdad during clashes. According to the witness, an initial drone strike targeted a mosque on the eastern side of Bagdad around 7:30 pm, resulting in the destruction of the building and damage to nearby houses.

Following the initial attack, numerous civilians sought refuge at the Jaffey farm for safety. However, eyewitnesses reported that the first strike on the farm resulted in casualties, with civilians being killed and injured. Subsequently, approximately 30 minutes later, a second attack occurred, causing further harm to both those seeking refuge at the farm and civilians from neighboring villages, Alifow and Gaalgube, who had arrived to assist survivors of the initial strike.

On 19 March, Somalia’s Ministry of Information issued a statement on Facebook saying that they had killed over 30 Al-Shabaab militants in the villages of Bagdad and Baldooska in coordination with “international partners”. The statement added:

The operation was launched in response to intelligence reports indicating that Al-Shabaab fighters were gathering in these areas and planning an assault against the Somali people… 15 Al-Shabaab members were killed in an airstrike in Bagdad

— SNTV

It is unclear whether Turkish or Somali forces were in control of the TB-2 drone at the time of the strikes on the Jaffey farm. One source in the Somali government confirmed that members of the National Intelligence and Security Agency fly the TB-2s during combat operations against Al-Shabaab. However, in 2022, the UN Panel of Experts for Somalia reported Turkey violated international sanctions on Somalia by supplying armed drones without notification to and approval of the UN.

According to the Turkish government, Türkiye did not transfer the drones to Somalia in violation of the UN arms embargo, but rather operated the drones themselves “in the fight against terrorism”. Also in 2022, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, Somalia’s then Interior Minister who is now Foreign Minister, was confirmed reports that the armed drones produced by Turkish company Baykar while Turkish forces operate the drones, Somali commanders provide the targets.

The recent years, Turkey has been supporting Somalia by providing military equipment and assistance. Satellite imagery and videos verified by Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab reveal Turkish TB-2 drones at Mogadishu International Airport since at least September 12, 2022. Additionally, Turkey has been training the "Gorgor" unit of the Somali armed forces at Camp Turksom in Mogadishu. In February 2024, the two countries further solidified their partnership by signing a Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement.

Casualties

The strikes resulted in the deaths of 23 civilians, including 14 children, five women, and four men. Additionally, 17 civilians were injured, consisting of 11 children, two women, and four men. All of the casualties belonged to the marginalized Gorgaarte clan.

They followed heavy ground fighting earlier that day between Al-Shabaab and Somali security forces near the villages of Jambaluul and Bagdad.

Aftermath

On 5 April 2024, Amnesty International contacted AFRICOM, inquiring about the potential involvement of US forces in the operation against Al-Shabaab on March 18. However, AFRICOM did not provide a response by the time of publication.

Amnesty International sent a letter to the governments of Somalia and Turkey on April 5, requesting details about the March 18 operation, including information about which military forces were operating the drone during the strikes. As of now, neither government has responded to the inquiry.

Notes

• This article mostly from Amnesty International