US military releases video of airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The U.S. Africa Command on Friday released an airstrike video highlighting the impact of the airstrikes conducted on Dec. 10 that killed eight Al-Shabaab explosives experts in the vicinity of Jilib, in yet another move showing commitment in the fight against the militants.

Thursday's airstrike was the 48th this year against the Al-Shabaab militants and targeted the Middle Jubba region which is a stronghold of the militants. Since January, several militants have either been killed in ground combats of US coordinated airstrikes in the Horn of Africa nation.

Incidentally, the airstrikes came at the time the US has ordered for withdrawal of her troops from Somalia. The Department of Defense confirmed an order from the outgoing President Donald Trump, who instructed that the over 700 troops in Somalia are redeployed elsewhere in East Africa.

"Al-Shabaab's continuous attacks demonstrate its willingness to accept high numbers of civilian casualties while advancing operations aimed at undermining security across Somalia,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Kirk Smith, deputy commander, U.S. Africa Command.

“The removal of terrorists involved in the making of explosives helps disrupt al-Shabaab's ability to conduct attacks of this nature and reduces the group's ability to target Somali civilians, security forces, government officials, as well as U.S. and Western interests in the country."

The command’s initial assessment indicates that the strikes killed 8 terrorists who were known to play important roles in producing explosives for al-Shabaab, including vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices [VBIEDs]. However, the names of the victims were not immediately revealed.

These devices are used frequently by al-Shabaab to target innocent civilians. Al-Shabaab’s attacks over the past several years demonstrate the terrorist organization’s willingness to accept high numbers of civilian causalities, the command said in a statement.

"This strike should demonstrate to any enemy that we stand by our partners and will vigorously defend both ourselves and our partners," said Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force - Quartz commander. "We will continue to maintain strong force protection and strike those who seek to harm us or our partners."

 Video:  https://twitter.com/USAfricaCommand/status/1337404228592164875?s=20

At this time the command assesses no civilians were injured or killed in these strikes. Previously, such precision strikes have led to the death of innocent civilians, something which triggered an outcry from human rights groups in the country.

U.S. Africa Command remains committed to working with East African countries to include building and maintaining regional security and placing pressure on al-Shabaab to advance mutual interests.

U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with international and African partners to ensure long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States, the statement read.

GAROWE ONLINE