U.S. Africa Command reportedly killed at least 12 al-Shabaab fighters in an airstrike in Somalia.
According to the agency on Sunday, the attack took place on Friday at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command said. The strike was focused at a remote location southwest of the city Hobyo. No civilians were killed.
“U.S. Africa Command provides support to the Somali government to address terrorist threats, but we are only part of the U.S. efforts there,” Gen. Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander said.
“Our Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development colleagues have programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance.”
Al-Shabaab is the Somali Council of Islamic Courts military force and is a designated terrorist group by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence. The group has maintained its insurgency in the southern region of Somalia since 2006.
According to the State Department, since al-Shabaab established itself in southern Somalia in 2006, the United States has contributed more than $3 billion in humanitarian assistance.
