MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – At least 24 Al-Shabaab fighters have been killed in Central Somalia after US drones hit Al-Shabaab controlled areas, US military in Africa confirmed.
In a statement issued on Thursday, US Africa Command said the airstrike was carried out on Wednesday near an extremist camp near Shebeeley village in the Central Hiran region North of the capital, Mogadishu.
The US statement said the airstrikes are meant to support Somali forces as they increase pressure on Al-Shabaab and its recruiting efforts in the region, especially in Southern and Central Somalia. Extremist camps and other safe havens are targeted.
“Such “strikes continue to help our partners make progress in their fight against the transnational terrorists who oppose peace in Somalia and in the region,” said Major General Gregg Olson, Africa Command director of operations.
The US statement said no civilians were killed or injured in the latest airstrike.
The Pentagon has increased the rate of strikes in Somalia in recent years, partly because President Donald Trump loosened constraints on when the US military can take action against alleged militants.
It was the ninth such airstrike carried out by the US this year.
The US carried out nearly 60 strikes last year in the Horn of Africa nation against Al-Shabaab.
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