Defense

US Military Strikes Al-Shabaab Terrorists In Somalia

(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Matthew Bruch/Released)

Joseph Lafave Contributor
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A March 19 airstrike in Somalia left two al-Shabaab terrorists dead and three wounded, according to United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).

The airstrike hit Mubaarak, a small town about two-and-a-half hours southwest of Mogadishu.

The airstrike was made possible through the close cooperation of Federal Government of Somalia forces and the United States.

“U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats,” AFRICOM officials said in a statement.

A battle damage assessment conducted after the strike confirmed that one vehicle belonging to al-Shabaab was also destroyed.

The U.S. works closely with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) to conduct counterterrorism missions in the region. These are aimed at destroying terrorist units, training camps and safe havens.

“Together with other international partners, the United States is committed to providing Somalia, AMISOM, and SNSF with support in the fight against violent extremist organizations,” AFRICOM officials said.

This strike comes less than a month after another U.S. airstrike conducted in Jilib, Somalia killed two al-Shabaab fighters and wounded a third.

Al-Shabaab is an Islamic extremist group that was formed after the Islamist Courts Union was splintered in 2006, and is loosely translated to “The Youth” in English. The group has close ties with al-Qaeda, al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Boko Haram.