US airstrike leaves 12 Al-Shabaab militants dead in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US Africa Command has confirmed an airstrike that left at least 12 Al-Shabaab militants dead on Friday, as Washington increases the intensity of the drone strikes following the request by the federal government of Somalia through President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Since taking over in June, Hassan Sheikh has mobilized the whole country against Al-Shabaab who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia, but the group has lost significant territories to the Somali National Army [SNA] and allied forces as the country activated operations in several fronts.

In a statement, the US said the 12 militants were killed on Friday at Hobyo, at least 45 kilometers South West of the town, terming the airstrike as "collective self-defense". The US has been conducting self-defense strikes while defending the Somali National Army and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] troops.

The command assesses that no civilians were injured or killed, per statement, an indication that due diligence was done moments before the militants faced the wrath. The US Africa Command usually conducts due diligence to reduce civilian casualties as part of international best practices which demand the protection of civilians.

Last year, America reinstated her soldiers back to Somalia after almost a year of absence following the withdrawal that was occasioned by former President Donald Trump. Mr. Trump was against the deployment of many soldiers outside America, claiming that the move had negative ramifications for the economy of the world's economic power.

But President Biden, in consultation with Pentagon and upon pressure from the US Senate, redeployed the soldiers to the Horn of Africa nation to help in the elimination of the Al-Shabaab militants. For the last six months, Al-Shabaab has seemingly lost many fronts to the combined military efforts.

Elsewhere, the Somali National Army captured a large base of Al-Shabaab in Qunbi area of ​​Lower Jubba region, Jubaland state, Sunday. The officers said that the army attacked the village from several directions, targeting Al-Shabaab militants gathering to carry out a terrorist attack.

Al-Shabaab has been trying to attack military bases as a retaliation to the ongoing military offensive across the country. The militants have also started leaving strategic towns ahead of mega operations and in return, have always threatened civilians against embracing the current administration.

GAROWE ONLINE