The United States military said that it killed one Al-Shabaab terrorist after it conducted an airstrike in the vicinity of Kurtun Warey district in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.
A statement by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said that the terrorist, who had a history of working with explosives, was preparing to put into position Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a public road.
AFRICOM added that a preliminary assessment of the incident showed that no civilian was injured or killed in the airstrike, which was conducted on Thursday.
“Al-Shabaab continues to put Somali people in danger by ruthlessly attempting to place explosive devices in public areas. These extremists continue to terrorize Somali citizens without regard for their safety,” AFRICOM director of operations,” U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel Tyler said.
AFRICOM noted that it recognized stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means.
“It requires providing programs and opportunity for the Somali people,” the statement said.
Somalia has been plagued by terrorism for more than a decade, perpetrated by the Al-Shabaab militant group. The war waged by the terrorists, who have been trying to topple the central government, has killed tens of thousands and forced millions to flee their homes.
