24 more Al-Shabab fighters have been killed during an airstrike launched by the United States military forces in Somalia.
In a statement, the US Africa Command says the airstrike was carried out on Wednesday at an Al-Shabaab base near Shebeeley in the central Hiran region north of Somali capital, Mogadishu.
“We are partnered with the Federal Government of Somalia, and other international partners, to protect the people of Somalia,” says Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg Olson, US Africa Command director of operations.
“Precision strikes are part of our strategy. Strikes continue to help our partners make progress in their fight against the transnational terrorists who oppose peace in Somalia and in the region.”
The latest airstrike comes after a similar one by US forces killed 52 Al-Shabaab extremists about two weeks ago.
The US military says it will continue unleashing similar strikes on the militants, who are responsible for thousands of deaths in Somalia and the region, including Kenya.
“U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from AMISOM to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States, and U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM and Somali National Army forces,” reads the statement.
The Islamic terror organization claimed responsibility for the January 15th attack at DusitD2 complex in Nairobi’s Westlands area where 21 people, including one US national, were killed.
The extremist group cited US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel as the reason for the attack.
