The US military confirmed Tuesday its special forces conducted airstrikes in southern Somalia on Aug 31, killing an Al-Shabaab militant and wounded another, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.
The US Africa Command (Africom) spokesman Anthony Falvo said the precision airstrike was carried out in south of Barawe, Somalia.
“Al-Shabaab has taken advantage of safe haven. The group has cemented its control of southern and central Somalia, they have used this area to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, and to shelter other radical terrorists,” Falvo said in a statement.
The US forces, in cooperation with the Somali government, are conducting operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the Al-Qaeda affiliate’s ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks throughout the region and in the United States.
Africom, which has in the past conducted counterterrorism airstrikes against the terror group in Somalia, said Al-Shabaab\’s affiliate, said its forces will continue to use all authorised and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats.
“This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world,” Falvo said.