US self-defensive airstrike kills 4 militants in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The U.S. military said on Wednesday it killed 4 militants in an airstrike against Al-Shabaab in southern Somalia as part of the war on terror in the Horn of Africa country, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement, the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike had been carried out on December 4 in the vicinity of Awdheegle district in Lower Shabelle, which lies about 100Km northwest of Mogadishu.

"The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after American and Somali partners came under attack. We currently asses this airstrike killed 4 fighters with no civilians involved," said AFRICOM in the statement.

For its part, Al-Shabab said the American fighter jets fired two missiles at a market in the town and a civilian house, without providing further details on the casualties.

Sources within Somali Intelligence agency said the airstrike struck a tax office run by Al-Shabab.

AFRICOM had carried out more than 38 airstrikes this year against al-Shabab, the Al-Qaeda-linked Islamic extremist group, which continues to stage deadly attacks in Mogadishu, and other cities the nation.

The latest attack came as United States state department announced re-establishment of a permanent diplomatic presence in Mogadishu, the first since the collapse of the former military regime in 1991.

GAROWE ONLINE