2017 raid on Barii explained

Partof:the War in Somalia
and the War on Terror
Date:5 May 2017
Place:Barii, 40 miles west of Mogadishu, Somalia
Result:Somali Victory
Combatant1:
Federal Government of Somalia
Combatant2: Al-Shabaab
Commander1: David J. Furness
Commander2: Mahad Karate
Moalin Osman Abdi Badil
Strength1:


50 DEVGRU operators (In all of Somalia)
several helicopters
:
Danab ("Lightning") commandos

Strength2:2,350
Casualties1:


1 killed
2 wounded
:
none

Casualties2:4-8 killed

The raid on Barii was a military operation conducted by SEAL Team Six (DEVGRU) with Federal Government of Somalia Danab commandos. The raid resulted in the death of DEVGRU Senior Chief Petty Officer Kyle Milliken, marking the first US serviceman combat death in Somalia since the First Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, also known as "Black Hawk Down".[1]

Events

A firefight erupted shortly after a DEVGRU team and Somali army forces were dropped by helicopter near an al-Shabaab compound in an area on the Shebelle River called Barii, about 40miles west of the capital Mogadishu. The DEVGRU operators were conducting an operation with Somali commandos to target a local leader of al-Shabaab in Darusalam village,[2] where Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame, known as Mahad Karate, was believed to be hiding.[3]

In addition to the dead DEVGRU operator, at least two other Americans were wounded, including a Somali-American interpreter. At least three al-Shabaab militants also died plus another local al-Shabaab commander. The mission was aborted soon after insurgents opened fire. The American/Somali group quickly returned to the aircraft that had taken it to the area and was evacuated.[4] [5]

References

-1.1357°N 41.2225°W

Notes and References

  1. News: In sign of intensifying Somalia fight, Navy SEAL killed during raid against al-Shabab. Washington Post. 2017-06-09.
  2. News: Gunfight kills Navy SEAL, wounds 2 other SEALs in Somalia. NBC News. 2017-06-10. en.
  3. News: U.S. Navy SEAL killed in Somalia raid on militant compound. 5 May 2017. Reuters. 2017-06-10.
  4. News: Navy SEAL Who Died in Somalia Was Alongside, Not Behind, Local Forces. Cooper. Helene. 2017-05-09. The New York Times. 2017-06-09. en-US. 0362-4331.
  5. News: U.S. special operations forces face growing demands and increased risks. Hennigan. W. J.. 2017-05-25. Los Angeles Times. 2017-06-09. en-US. 0458-3035.