Somalia on Friday said its special forces in cooperation have conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab in central region, killing several fighters.
The airstrike was second attack against al-Shabaab in three days, according to Somali government.
In a statement, Somali information ministry said the precision strike only destroyed al-Shabaab fighters and weapons with zero civilian casualties.
The attack happened mid-morning, according to the ministry.
“Al-Shabaab have suffered another great loss at the hands of the Danab, the Somali National Army and its partners,” information ministry said. “At 10:21 in Galmudug state between Qaycad town and Xarardheere district an airstrike has crippled the al-Shabaab terrorist.”
Early this, the Pentagon said that U.S. forces had conducted an airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab.
“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command forces conducted one airstrike against al-Shabaab in the vicinity of Galkaayo, Somalia, July 20, 2021,” Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia King said in a statement.
The operation marked the first U.S. airstrike in Somalia since President Joe Biden took office.
The U.S. carried out 63 airstrikes against al-Shabaab in 2019 and 53 airstrikes in 2020.
Another seven airstrikes were launched in the first two-and-a-half weeks of 2021, before former U.S. President Donald Trump left office.
