US military airstrikes target Al-Shabaab in Somalia
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Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 19-12-2022, 03:54PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US Africa Command confirmed two airstrikes within Somalia's HirShabelle state, in what comes amid a heightened crackdown against Al-Shabaab militants in the Horn of Africa nation, where the national army is working with partners to dismantle the militants.
On Sunday, the US Africa Command reported that the airstrikes were purposely for "self-defense" against the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab and were conducted last week within the troubled town of Adale in Somalia. The Somali National Army [SNA] confirmed the airstrikes last week.
The airstrikes, US Africa Command added, were conducted upon the request of the Somali National Army which was encountering the militants in the town. The army has been pushing in central and southern Somalia to vanquish the militants who are dominant in those regions.
The first strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing seven militants, while the second strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing eight al-Shabab fighters.
“U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of these operations and will provide additional information as appropriate,” read the statement, noting that no civilian was injured during the two incidents due to proper precautionary measures.
“Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.”
Over the weekend, the government of Somalia reported that an operation in two villages left over 88 Al-Shabaab militants dead. While the operation is yet to be confirmed by US Africa Command and ATMIS, the government did mention that international partners were involved in the crackdown.
Mohamed Yusuf Jingab, a senior Al-Shabaab leader who is in charge of recruitment and training is said to have been killed following the airstrikes on Friday. However, the claims cannot be verified independently and the Al-Shabaab militants are yet to issue any statement pertaining to the death which is a massive blow to them.
GAROWE ONLINE
