U.S. Africa Command has announced that it carried out a self-defense airstrike against the Al-Shabaab group following a request from the Federal Government of Somalia.
The airstrike, which took place in the vicinity of Ceel Baraf in the Hirshabelle regional state, targeted several Al-Shabaab fighters and a vehicle they were using, according to U.S. military sources. The initial assessment from AFRICOM indicates that no civilians were harmed in the attack.
The U.S. Africa Command stated that Al-Shabaab has repeatedly targeted U.S. and partner forces, posing a threat to American security interests. As a result, the U.S. military emphasized its commitment to continued cooperation with the Somali government and the Somali National Army to weaken Al-Shabaab's capacity to plan and execute attacks that endanger U.S. security and global interests.
American military officials did not disclose further details about the specific units or equipment used in the operation, citing operational security concerns.
The ongoing conflict between Somali government forces, their international partners, and local militia on one side, and Al-Shabaab on the other, has been intensifying in the Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions.