Somalia: More Al-Shabaab militants killed in US army airstrike

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The government of Somalia has confirmed the death of at least 10 Al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia, the second airstrike in as many days by the US army which has heightened the fight against the group within the Horn of Africa nation.

At the border of Middle and Lower Jubba on Wednesday, officials said, an airstrike was initiated in the region by the US army in support of the Somali National Army (SNA) which has been coordinating a crackdown against the group in central and southern regions.

The airstrike, state media reports, disrupted a key Al-Shabaab meeting that was going on, killing another senior leader in the process. Both the US army and the government of Somalia are yet to reveal the name of the leader killed.

"Somali Army and US Air Force kill 10 Al-Shabab militants in joint operation near Lower/Middle Jubba border. The strike, second this week, disrupted a meeting and eliminated a key leader of the terrorist group," read the statement.

On Tuesday, the US army confirmed the death of Moalim Ayman, a senior Al-Shabaab leader who was caught in the Middle Jubba airstrike on December 17th. Ayman is believed to have been a key mobilizer of the Al-Shabaab attack on Manda Naval Base in Kenya three years ago.

The Manda attack left three Americans dead and triggered a change of tactics in the fight against the group from January 5th, 2020 onwards. The US has been a key partner in the fight against violent extremist groups that control large swathes of rural central and southern parts.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared total war against the Al-Shabaab militants and has maintained that the war can be won by December 2024. The president has acknowledged significant contributions from partners in the war, including the European Union which is critical in finances.

GAROWE ONLINE