The US army on Wednesday said it had conducted airstrikes in Somalia in coordination with the local army there, killing two al-Shabaab fighters.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, US forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants approximately 46 kilometers northeast of Kismayo, Somalia, on August 21, killing two terrorists,” the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement.
“We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in the airstrike.”
Al-Shabaab has waged an extremist Islamist war in Somalia for over a decade, killing tens of thousands and displacing millions others.
After taking office in January 2017, US President Donald Trump in March gave more power to AFRICOM to carry out “precision airstrikes” in support of African Union and Somali troops fighting Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
That authority has led to increased airstrikes by the US army in Somalia, which have killed tens of militants.
The statement released by AFRICOM also pledged more action against al-Shabaab militants.
“US forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect US citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region,” it said.
