US Airstrikes Push Civilians to Rising Juba River

Coordinated airstrikes in al-Shabaab-held territory in southern Somalia are reportedly driving civilians towards the Juba River, where rising water levels present a severe safety risk. Residents describe continuous drone attacks that make movement difficult and have resulted in significant civilian casualties. These attacks are allegedly pinning the population, including many women and children, in flood-prone areas.

Sources suggest a concerning military strategy is exploiting the intensifying El Niño phenomenon, which is forecast to worsen Somalia's rainy season. This approach raises fears of large-scale deaths as people are pushed into floodplains. While the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) denies targeting civilians or using weather as a weapon, the situation unfolds against a backdrop of drastically reduced humanitarian aid and flood protection funding.

Al-Shabaab-controlled areas, like Jilib, face a dual threat from ongoing conflict and extreme weather. The city's low-lying location makes it vulnerable to floods, which have historically displaced millions. Compounding the crisis, al-Shabaab has shown little preparedness for El Niño, and the lack of essential resources like boats further endangers those trapped in the conflict zone.

Eyewitness accounts detail frequent airstrikes causing civilian deaths and injuries, with official U.S. records for August and September showing a limited number of strikes. The increase in weapon-related injuries treated in Kismayo suggests a heightened level of conflict. Beyond airstrikes and floods, hunger remains a primary concern, with malnutrition rates rising and aid severely cut, amplifying the catastrophic impact of El Niño.