The U.S. conducted three airstrikes against al-Shabab militants over the weekend, killing an estimated 10 of them, U.S. Africa Command said Sunday. (AFRICOM)
Three airstrikes launched by American forces in Somalia over the weekend killed an estimated 10 al-Shabab militants, according to U.S. Africa Command.
The strikes occurred about 65 miles north of the coastal southern city of Kismayo, AFRICOM said in a statement Sunday, adding that they were carried out in support of Somali forces attacked by al-Shabab.
AFRICOM did not release details about the units involved, but the strikes came on the heels of an explosion Thursday near Kismayo when a U.S. convoy hit a roadside bomb.
The blast did not cause any casualties, AFRICOM said at the time.
On Sunday, AFRICOM described al-Shabab as the most violent of all al-Qaeda affiliates and said the group “has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests.”
The U.S. mission in Somalia involves assistance to local military forces in their fight against the terrorist group, which has been waging a campaign against the Somali government for two decades.
In addition to advising troops, AFRICOM carries out periodic airstrikes in the country. Several hundred U.S. troops now operate in Somalia.
In May 2022, the U.S. announced the return of special operations troops to Somalia, reversing a decision by President Donald Trump during the last days of his administration to pull 700 service members out of the country.
