The US military said it conducted an airstrike in Somalia on Tuesday, killing more than 100 al-Shabaab militants.
The US Africa Command said it carried out the strikes northwest of the capital, Mogadishu, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in Somalia against an al-Shabaab camp on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at approximately 10:30 a.m. local Somalia time, killing more than 100 militants,” it said in a statement.
Somalia has been dogged by a near decade-long war waged by the jihadist militant group, killing thousands and forcing millions other to flee their homes.
Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, and operates in the Horn of African region.
The US military in its statement said it would work with local and regional security forces to wage war against the militants in order to disable their threat.
“U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world,” it said.
Last month, Somali President Mohamed Abdulahi ‘Farmajo’ visited leaders of neighbouring countries to urge them to continue supporting his country in the fight against al-Shabaab, a call they pledged to heed.
U.S. Conducts Airstrike in Support of the Federal Government of Somalia – https://t.co/nvxA29LYao pic.twitter.com/MUczO0RySw
— US AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand) November 21, 2017
