US airstrike kills 10 militants in Somalia

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MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United States military says it has carried out a drone strike against targeting Al Qaeda linked Al Shabab group near Somalia’s capital Mogadishu.

The strike was conducted on Wednesday in area, some 15 miles southwest of Mogadishu, killing at least 10 militants, according to statement by U.S. Africa Command.

The drone strike was carried out in coordination with Somalia’s government, the U.S. Africa Command statement said.

“We currently assess no civilians were killed in this airstrike”, according to the statement.

The U.S. says it will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect its citizens and to disable terrorist threats in Somalia.

“We maintain partnering with African Union forces and Somali army forces in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists throughout Somalia”, the statement reads.

There was no immediate comment from Al Shabaab over the claims.

Al Shabab, the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa, has been blamed for deadly bombings in Mogadishu, leaving dozens dead.

By Abdirisak Mohamud Tuuryare from Mogadishu, Somalia