BOSASO (Kaab TV) – At least four civilians, including three women and a boy from the same family, were killed, and six others injured in an airstrike on Sunday night that struck Sihna village, a remote area near Qandala town in Puntland, northern Somalia.
The airstrike targeted a rural mountainous area where Puntland forces have been conducting operations against Islamic State militants.
Mohamed Yusuf, a family member who was not present at the time of the attack, said the three women and the boy were staying at the family’s goat-herding home when the strike hit.
Six others in the house were injured, while two family members collecting goats nearby survived.
Qandala District Commissioner Ahmed Yusuf Mohamed (Khurshe) confirmed the incident.
“Four people were killed, and six others injured, all from the same family, after the airstrike hit their home around 7:15 PM Sunday night. First and foremost,” he said.
“We extend our condolences to the family affected by this tragic incident. We pray for mercy for those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery for the injured.”
Due to the rugged terrain, the injured and deceased were transported to Anjeel village using camels, as vehicles could not access the mountainous area.
The victims were buried on Monday.
Commissioner Khurshe also urged residents in rural areas near the Al-Miskaad mountains, where operations against ISIS militants are ongoing, to leave conflict zones and relocate to government-controlled areas.
“We repeatedly urge the people of Qandala to move away from areas where extremist groups are hiding and come to villages under government control. What happened to us today must not happen again,” he said.
The entity responsible for the airstrike has not been identified, and Puntland officials have not disclosed further details.
However, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which has been supporting Puntland forces in their fight against ISIS since December, has not commented on the incident.