In the aftermath of a devastating US airstrike in Somalia, seven-year-old Abdiqadir Salah finds himself on the brink of losing his ability to walk due to shrapnel wounds sustained during the attack. His mother, Marian Haji Abdi Guled, is desperate for aid, but the staggering £750 cost for the necessary surgery remains out of reach as the US government denies any civilian casualties, leaving families like hers with no hope of compensation.
The Attack on Jamaame
On 15 November 2025, chaos erupted in the town of Jamaame when missiles rained down, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives, including eight children. Abdiqadir was outside his home when he was struck, one of many civilians caught in the crossfire of a military operation purportedly targeting al-Shabaab militants. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Somalia since the infamous 1993 Black Hawk Down incident, raising serious concerns regarding US military intelligence and the criteria used to select targets.
Marian recounts a harrowing scene: “All three of my children were lying on the ground covered in blood,” she recalled, describing the frantic moments following the strike. The air was thick with the sound of drones hovering ominously overhead, a precursor to the destruction that would follow. In the scramble for safety, she fled with her wounded children into the countryside, fearing further bombardment.
A Family’s Desperate Journey
With shrapnel embedded in Abdiqadir’s back and thigh, the family embarked on a perilous journey to find medical assistance. Their first stop, a hospital in Jilib, was unable to provide the required care, forcing Marian to trek 40 miles to the capital, Mogadishu. The trip was fraught with hardship; they had little food, and Marian’s thoughts were consumed with the need to save her children.
Despite securing treatment for her daughter in Mogadishu, Abdiqadir remains critically injured. Doctors at Kaafi Hospital have made it clear: urgent surgery is essential to prevent permanent disability. “If the shrapnel isn’t removed, it could affect his ability to walk,” Marian said, her voice heavy with despair. But the financial burden looms large; not only must she gather funds for the operation, but she must also contend with the cost of living in the capital—an unaffordable £190 per month for accommodation.
The Silence of Accountability
Compounding the family’s struggles is the lack of accountability from the US military. No compensation has been offered to victims of these airstrikes, and under the previous Trump administration, measures intended to prevent civilian casualties were quietly dismantled. As the US continues its military operations in Somalia, questions about operational transparency and the safety of civilians remain largely unanswered.
Marian is unequivocal in her assertion of responsibility. “It is the Americans who are responsible for our suffering,” she stated, reflecting the sentiments of many who have endured similar fates in the wake of these military actions. Witnesses of the Jamaame attack agree that the destruction was caused by drones, not ground fire, yet US officials have remained silent on the matter, evading inquiries regarding the involvement of Somali forces during the strike.
The Human Cost of War
As Abdiqadir’s family grapples with the physical and emotional toll of the airstrike, their plight highlights the often-overlooked consequences of military engagements in foreign territories. The impact of such conflicts extends far beyond the battlefield, affecting countless innocent lives caught in the crossfire.
Why it Matters
The situation surrounding Abdiqadir Salah is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the dire need for accountability in military operations. As civilians continue to bear the brunt of war, the silence from those in power is deafening. The stories of affected families must be heard and acknowledged, for they represent not just statistics but real lives irrevocably altered by violence. Ensuring that victims receive the support they need is not merely a humanitarian obligation; it is a moral imperative that calls for urgent action and reform in military policy.
