US Drone Victims’ Families Demand Justice: Seeking Reparations for Tragedy in Somalia

In a tragic incident that highlights the ongoing challenges faced by civilians in conflict zones, Luul Dahir Mohamed and her daughter Mariam lost their lives in a US drone strike in Somalia. This heartbreaking story sheds light on the impact of military actions on innocent lives, particularly in regions like central Somalia’s Galgaduud region.

Luul Dahir Mohamed, who grew up in a nomadic family in Galgaduud, was one of many girls in her Bedouin community deprived of educational opportunities. After marrying and having two children—Mohamed and Mariam—Luul envisioned a brighter future for them. Following the end of her marriage, she made the brave decision to move from her rural home in Bergan to the central Somali city of El Buur in 2018, hoping the change would provide better prospects for her children.

Tragically, just a few months after her relocation, Luul and her four-year-old daughter Mariam were killed. The incident occurred on April 1, 2018, when Luul and Mariam were traveling with other passengers in a pick-up truck to visit Luul’s older brother, Qassim, in Dac, approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) from El Buur.

According to Luul’s brother, Abubakar Dahir Mohamed, “She’d only been there [in El Buur] for a couple of months before she was killed in the [United States] drone strike.” He recounted the harrowing details of that day, stating that the US drones bombed the pick-up truck, claiming the lives of several individuals.

Eyewitness accounts from local residents indicated that, after the strike, many bodies were discovered at the site. Luul’s lifeless body was found about 60 meters (200 feet) from the truck, clutching her daughter, whose small body was tragically marked by shrapnel. Abubakar narrated, “When they fired on the vehicle, Luul made it out with her daughter. They knew it was a woman and child, and then they fired once again, killing them both in the second strike.” He expressed his disillusionment, saying, “The Americans claim to uphold human rights, but apparently, when it comes to people like my sister and niece, their lives don’t matter.”

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), responsible for military operations on the continent, has conducted over 410 air raids in Somalia since 2005, as reported by the think tank New America. In 2018 alone, AFRICOM carried out 37 strikes, including the one that resulted in the deaths of Luul and Mariam.

Following the tragic event, AFRICOM issued a statement claiming that the strike targeted “five terrorists” and destroyed a vehicle, denying any civilian casualties. The statement read, “No civilians were killed in this airstrike.” However, the reality is that local communities and human rights organizations frequently report civilian deaths resulting from these military operations.

In response to mounting pressure from rights groups, AFRICOM conducted an internal review a year after the attack and acknowledged that a “mother and child” had been killed near El Buur. This admission marked a significant milestone as it was the first time the US acknowledged civilian casualties in its prolonged air campaign in Somalia, although it did not specifically name Luul and her daughter.

Recently, the legal rights organization Humanus, which advocates for civilian victims of military actions, received a letter from AFRICOM confirming that Luul and Mariam were indeed casualties of a US attack. The letter stated that AFRICOM is “committed to learning from the circumstances around these tragic deaths,” yet it concluded that providing a “condolence payment” to Luul’s family, including her now 13-year-old son, is “not feasible.”

This situation has sparked outrage among victims’ families and human rights organizations, who argue that such acknowledgments are insufficient. The deaths of Luul and Mariam are not isolated incidents but part of a larger narrative concerning the impact of military actions on innocent civilians in Somalia.

• Background: Luul grew up in a nomadic family in Somalia, lacking access to education.
• Relocation: After her marriage ended, Luul moved to El Buur in search of a better life for her children.
• Tragedy: Luul and her daughter were killed in a US drone strike just months after moving.
• AFRICOM’s Response: The command initially denied civilian casualties but later admitted to the deaths after public pressure.
• Continued Advocacy: Human rights organizations are demanding accountability and compensation for victims’ families.

The loss of Luul and Mariam serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of military operations and the urgent need for greater accountability in ensuring the protection of civilians in conflict zones.