US Africa Command (AFRICOM) which oversees US military operations on the African continent has announced they have conducted an airstrike in Somalia targeting Al-Qaeda linked militants Al-Shabaab.
“At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Hareeri Kalle, approximately 15 kilometers south of Galcad, Somalia, against al-Shabaab terrorists,” read a statement released by AFRICOM on Thursday.
The recent US airstrike in Somalia comes at a time of heightened military operations against Al-Shabaab in the Galgaduud region, were the insurgents still maintain strongholds in the districts of Ceel-Buur and Galhareeri.
Somalia’s government with support of international partners have been trying to flush Al-Shabaab fighters out of the Galgaduud region which is a strategic province that connects southern Somalia with northern Somalia.
The United States has been carrying out airstrikes in Somalia since 2007 in a bid to weaken and subdue Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a 15 year long insurgency against the Somali government. Meanwhile, al-Shabaab continues to gain strength and raid government controlled territories.
Daljir Media Service Desk
FAALLOOYIN & FALCELIN