Battle of Ras Kamboni

Battle of Ras Kamboni
Part of the Somalia War (2006–2009) Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa
Battle of Ras Kamboni, US & Ethiopian Airstrikes
Date January 5–12, 2007 Location Near Ras Kamboni, Somalia Result TFG/Ethiopian victory
Belligerents
Islamic Courts Union Pro-Islamist militias Foreign Mujahideen[1] al-Qaeda	Transitional Federal Government (TFG)  Ethiopia  United States
Commanders and leaders
Sharif Sheik Ahmed Yusuf Hassan Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade Abdirahman Janaqow	TFG: Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale Abdirisak Afgadud Timothy Ghormley[2] Maritime Security: Patrick M. Walsh
Casualties and losses
Around 60 dead, 100 wounded in airstrikes[3]

The Battle of Ras Kamboni took place during the Somalia War (2006–2009) fought by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and affiliated militias against Ethiopian and the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces for control of Ras Kamboni (1°38′20″S 41°35′17″E / 1.63889°S 41.58806°E / -1.63889; 41.58806), a town near the Kenyan border which once served as a training camp for the militant Islamist group Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya.

The battle began on January 5, 2007, when TFG and Ethiopian forces launched their assault. On January 7, 2007, the United States entered the conflict by launching airstrikes using an AC-130 gunship against suspected Al Qaeda members operating within the ranks of the ICU.^[4] International concern and controversy arose over civilian casualties in additional airstrikes around Ras Kamboni and in Afmadow province, and whether these were the result of U.S. actions or Ethiopian aircraft operating in the area. The town finally fell to the TFG and Ethiopian forces on January 12, 2007.^[5]