MOGADISHU, Somalia - The U.S. military says it carried out a new airstrike against Al Shabaab near the Somali capital, Mogadishu, killing four militants on 27th December, Garowe Online reports.

The United States Africa Command [AFRICOM] said in a statement the attack has destroyed one vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, preventing it from being used against the people in Mogadishu.

The airstrike was carried out early Wednesday morning at an undisclosed location, situated about 25 Kilometers west of Somalia’s capital, the US statement said, adding that no civilians were killed.

This the second raid in less than a week. On 24th December, an air strike against Al Shabaab hideout near Kismayo, a port city in southern Somalia left 13 militants dead.

The US military has carried out 35 airstrikes this year against the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabab and a small but growing pro-Islamic States fighters in Galgala hills in the Puntland state of Somalia.

More than 500 American soldiers are currently operating in Somalia to provide assistance to Somali and AU troops in the fight against Al-Shabab, the deadliest group in Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE