MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United States military says it killed at least 16 Al Shabaab fighters in drone strikes carried out in south of Somalia.
The US military said two attacks were carried out near Derow Sanale area, some 150km away from Somali capital Mogadishu.
In a statement by US army says the strikes had killed 16 Al Shabaab fighters and destroyed a vehicle laden with explosives.
The US military carried out this year two airstrikes against al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab in Somalia.
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg P. Olson, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command said its forces remain fully committed to supporting Somalia and African Union troops in fighting against Al Shabaab.
- Olson says U.S. forces conduct precision airstrikes to foil terrorist plans, eliminate al-Shabaab terrorists and reduce the enemy’s freedom of maneuver.
He says its troops are committed to preventing al-Shabaab from taking advantage of safe havens from which they can build capacity and attack the people of Somalia.
The group uses portions of southern and central Somalia to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, extort the local populace to fund its operations, and shelter radical terrorists.
U.S. Africa Command says it will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from African Union troops to Somali army forces in Somalia.
However, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with Somalia and African Union soldiers in fighting against Al Shabaab.
