GAROWE, Somalia — A Puntland investigative committee has concluded that Omar Abdillahi Abdi, a respected clan elder killed in a U.S. airstrike on September 13, 2025, was an innocent civilian on a reconciliation mission, contradicting earlier claims by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) that the strike targeted an al-Shabaab weapons dealer.
According to the committee’s findings, Omar left Ceelbuh in the Sanaag region that morning to travel to Badhan district as part of a peace delegation led by Sultan Abdisalan. Investigators confirmed that he was an officially registered traditional leader with the Puntland Ministry of Interior and had no criminal record, security alerts, or links to militant activity. Witnesses reported that he was traveling alone in his Suzuki vehicle when it was struck.
The investigation presented missile fragments, photographs from the scene, and the destroyed vehicle, identifying the type of weapon used in the attack. DNA tests verified that only one male victim died in the strike, consistent with eyewitness accounts and confirming that Omar was the sole casualty. No weapons or illegal items were found in his vehicle.
AFRICOM has acknowledged conducting the airstrike but did not name the individual killed, stating only that the operation did not result in civilian harm. The discrepancy between that statement and the committee’s findings has fueled anger and mistrust among residents of Ceelbuh, who describe Omar as a lifelong mediator dedicated to preventing conflict and supporting community cohesion.
Family members expressed profound grief, with his widow, Saido Ali Abdinur, saying nothing could undo the loss of a man who had devoted his life to peace. His brother, Ali Abdullahi Abdi, questioned how someone known for resolving disputes could be mistakenly targeted. Community leaders warned that such incidents risk discouraging others from participating in peace efforts and undermine public confidence in international partners.
Human rights advocates criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the strike and said the death underscores the human cost of flawed targeting intelligence. Local officials, meanwhile, continue to call for accountability and an independent inquiry.
Residents have erected a memorial at the blast site, placing Omar’s photograph beside the burned remains of his vehicle. For his family and community, the investigation confirms what they already knew: Omar Abdillahi Abdi was a peaceful man on a mission of reconciliation, whose death they say must not be forgotten.
