A 13-year-old boy who was severely injured in a US airstrike in Somalia has regained the ability to walk following a series of complex surgeries. Abdiqadir Salah was caught in the attack last November that targeted al-Shabaab militants but also killed and wounded civilians.
The Attack and Its Aftermath
The US military strike hit a house in the village of Galcad, about 250 kilometers north of Mogadishu. Abdiqadir suffered shrapnel wounds to his legs and spine, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. His family, subsistence farmers, could not afford medical treatment. Local doctors stabilized him, but he needed specialized surgery unavailable in Somalia.
International Assistance
Humanitarian organizations stepped in to help. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and other groups arranged for Abdiqadir to be flown to Turkey for surgery. There, doctors removed shrapnel from his spine and performed reconstructive surgery on his legs. After months of rehabilitation, he can now walk with crutches.
Civilian Toll of US Strikes
The US has conducted dozens of airstrikes in Somalia since 2017, targeting al-Shabaab. However, civilian casualties have been reported in several incidents. In the Galcad attack, at least 10 civilians were killed and 20 wounded, according to local officials. The US Africa Command initially said no civilians were harmed but later acknowledged an investigation.
Abdiqadir's Recovery
Abdiqadir's mother, Fadumo, expressed relief but also grief for those who died. She said her son now dreams of becoming a doctor to help others. The NRC noted that the attack highlights the need for greater protection of civilians in conflict zones.
The US military maintains that its strikes are precise and necessary to combat terrorism. Critics argue that the high civilian toll fuels resentment and recruitment for extremist groups.
