U.S. forces conducted an airstrike on Monday in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, killing one militant, the U.S. Africa Command said on Saturday.
Monday’s airstrike was conducted in coordination with Somali forces, and was the fourth by the U.S. forces in June.
Africom said its assessment had showed that no civilians were killed on injured in the airstrike.
“Airstrikes like these are conducted to degrade al-Shabaab’s activities in the region that disrupt the safety and security of the Somali people,” said Air Force Brig. Gen. Robert A. Huston, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command.
Africom pledged to continue working together with Somali forces to rid the country of terrorists, even as it prepares for the exit of foreign troops.
“U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from AMISOM to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States. In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM, and Somali National Army forces,” Africom said.
U.S. airstrike targets al-Shabaab in support of the Federal Government of Somalia – https://t.co/n2LOjg0qdS pic.twitter.com/038omYVt5F
— US AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand) June 25, 2019
