Somalia: U.S. airstrike kills 8 militants near Kismayo

KISMAYO, Somalia - United States military has carried an airstrike against Al Shabaab in southern Somalia on Friday, December 8, killing at least Eight militants, Garowe Online reports.

A statement released by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Monday the air raid occurred Friday evening at a rebel-held area, approximately 30 miles northwest of the city of the port city of Kismayo.

The American forces have carried out the attack in coordination with Somalia’s government, the statement read in part. The strike did not cause any civilian casualties, however, destroyed a vehicle.

AFRICOM said it will continue counterterrorism operations in the hostile areas in Somalia targeting the Al Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated groups and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region.

Last month, the Pentagon confirmed more than 100 Islamic extremists were killed in a US airstrike on a camp 125 miles (200 km) northwest of the capital Mogadishu.

Since March, the Trump administration has escalated its campaign to defeat Al Shabaab, the group responsible for numerous attacks and bombings in Somalia, mostly in Mogadishu killings hundreds of people.

GAROWE ONLINE