The United States has killed 12 al-Shabaab terrorist fighters in an airstrike in Somalia at the request of the country’s government, the United States announced on Sunday.
US forces carried out the attack on Friday, striking a remote location west of Hobyo, Somalia, the US African command said. It was the fourth US attack on al-Shabaab this year and brought the terrorist group’s total death toll to 48.
“At the request of the federal government of Somalia and in support of the Somali National Army’s commitments against al-Shabaab, the US African Command conducted a collective self-defense strike on February 10, 2023,” AFRICOM wrote in a statement.
“Somalia remains central to stability and security across East Africa. Forces from US Africa Command train, advise and assist partner forces to help equip them with the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab , the largest and deadliest al-Qaeda network in the world,” the statement continued.
NAVY PREVENTS IRAN FROM BRINGING US MILITARY DRONE INTO ARABIAN GULF
The United States has killed 12 al-Shabaab terrorists in a drone strike in Somalia. (AP Photo/ Farah Abdi Warsameh, files) (AP Photo/ Farah Abdi Warsameh, files)
The United States has killed 48 al-Shabaab terrorists in airstrikes this year. (REUTERS/Feisal Omar) (REUTERS/Feisal Omar)
The United States added that an initial assessment indicated that no civilians were killed in the attack.
ISIS LEADER KILLED IN US SPECIAL OPERATIONS RAID IN SYRIA, BIDEN SAYS
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s regime is receiving both humanitarian and military support from the United States for its ongoing campaign for economic reform, social and political reconciliation, and religious tolerance, AFRICOM wrote.
“The United States command in Africa provides support to the Somali government in dealing with terrorist threats, but we are only part of the United States’ efforts there,” AFRICOM chief General Michael Langley said in a statement.
The US military carries out operations in support of the established Somali government. (Photo by Scott Peterson/Link)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Our colleagues at the State Department and the US Agency for International Development have programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance,” he added.
