US military has killed al-Shabaab fighters in its latest airstrike in Southern Somalia.
In a statement, AFRICOM said in coordination with government, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia..
The attack happened on Friday.
Miguel Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command said command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one terrorist.
“We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike,” he said.
Miguel assured that US remains committed to Somali-led progress on improving conditions for a well-trained Somali National Security Force that can assume and sustain security within the country.
“We support the international security assistance model in Somalia. Our support, coupled with other international partners, restricts that ambition as the Somali forces continue to grow in capability,” the statement reads in part.
AFRICOM vowed that the mission will continue fighting al-Shabaab in Somalia.
“Al-Shabaab’s leadership recently reiterated its primary focus of attacking American and Western targets beyond Somalia’s borders. Al-Shabaab remains fully committed to exporting violence,” Miguel said.
U.S. Africa Command said it recognizes that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means.
“The partner and allied forces we work with on a daily basis are trying to create security conditions to enhance governance and economic development. As such, U.S. Africa Command’s security cooperation efforts are closely linked with the U.S. Embassy in Somalia’s political and economic initiatives targeting the root causes of instability,” the mission said.
