SECRET//NOFORN//SI//SAR – TULIP EMPEROR//RSEN

 

21 Sep 2016

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Commander, Naval Special Warfare Development Group

TO: Secretary of Defense

VIA: Commander, Joint Special Operations Command

Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

SUBJ: AFTER ACTION REPORT – RAID ON AL-SHABAB COMPOUND

Executive Overview

Mission: To capture or kill the leader of the al-Shabab terrorist organization, Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir, also known by the nom-de-guerre Ikrima, as well as any other high-ranking al-Shabab militants near the town of Baraawe, Somalia.

Mission Date/Time: 15 September 2016, 0000Z – 0305Z (time ashore)

Mission Outcome: Raid failed due to early discovery by guard forces protecting Ikrima and his leadership circle; overwhelming and reinforced enemy defense precipitated withdrawal by raid force.

It is believed Ikrima and most/all of his top echelon leaders escaped and remain alive. Further post-raid analysis indicates a much higher level of readiness and area coordination than believed possible from autonomous al-Shabab units.

Based on follow-on communications, it is possible that Ikrima may have established a working relationship with Daesh.

Casualties: Minor injuries to four assault force commandos; numerous al-Shabab fighters killed or wounded. Casualty figures among non-combatants are unknown.

Mission Summary – See Attachment A

Recommendations

Raid force commander recommends dedicated reconnaissance element be used prior to any future assault. While excellent coverage is provided by REAPER UAV, patterns of movement are best assessed by special operations forces with expertise in reconnaissance missions.

Recommend larger raid force with dedicated close air support provided by AC-130 SPECTRE if future assault is ordered. Precision close air support from SPECTRE gunship would have alleviated numerical advantage by al-Shabab fighters in the compound and the reinforcements which arrived shortly after the firefight began.

Recommend additional intel assets establish or disprove possible linkages between Ikrima and Daesh.

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Classified By: Commander, Joint Special Operations Command

Declassify On: Manual Review

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Copy To:

Secretary of State

National Security Advisor

Commander, US Africa Command

Commander, US Special Operations Command

Director of National Intelligence (copy to: Director, National Counterterrorism Center)

Chief of Naval Operations (copy to: OPNAV N3, OPNAV N2/N6)

Director, Central Intelligence Agency (copy to: Deputy Director for National Clandestine Service)

Director, National Security Agency

Director, Defense Intelligence Agency

Director, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency

Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation (copy to: National Security Branch, CT Operations)