For the most part, it isn’t clear who is being targeted, why and what the outcomes of these strikes are, beyond vague allusions to senior al-Shabaab or IS-Somalia figures being killed. Somali officials also appear to often be in the dark which is alarming.

This report places scrutiny on frequent US claims following these strikes (which have now number more than 100 this year which is unprecedented) that no civilians have been killed. And even who it says it is hitting. Since around April the US hasn't even said whether civilians are being killed.

Regional authorities have published a report which disputed that claim and so have many locals who said he had nothing to do with the group and was wrongly killed. Somali officials said they could have arrested him had there been grounds for suspicion.

Thank you!