The Pentagon said Friday it is investigating reports that a raid in Somalia that included U.S. forces killed five civilians.
Agence France-Presse reported that tribal leaders in southern Somalia reported the deaths from a raid Wednesday night that included foreign special operations troops and helicopters.
The U.S. military has ramped up operations in the country targeting the al Shabaab terrorist group, and is providing advice and assistance to Somalia government forces.
“We are aware of reports alleging civilian casualties resulting from this operation, and we take these reports seriously,” U.S. Africa Command said in a statement. “As with any allegations of civilian casualties we receive, U.S. Africa Command will review any information it has about the incident, including any relevant information provided by third parties.”
The command oversees military operations across the continent, including in Niger where four soldiers were killed in an ambush in October, and said it will “determine the next appropriate step” if evidence supports civilian casualties.
Last year, a report claimed U.S. special operations troops fired on 10 unarmed Somali civilians including farmers and at least one child who were killed during an Aug. 25 mission in Bariire, Somalia, which is just outside the capital Mogadishu.
An AFRICOM investigation of that raid found that only armed enemy combatants were killed.
