At least one U.S military was killed and others wounded in a gun battle between Somali forces backed by U.S elite forces and Al-Shabab fighters in Southern Somalia, U.S. officials said.
The group stepped up their attacks against allied forces in Somalia since the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Heavily armed Al-shabab fighters have stormed a military base near Jamame town, about 225 miles from the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
The US military says combined Somali National Security Forces, Kenyan Defense Force and U.S. forces came under mortar and small-arms fire at about 2:45 p.m. Mogadishu time (7:45 a.m. EST).
The U.S. said its forces operate on an “advice and assist” mission with the Somali National Army.
“A U.S. special operations service member was killed and four other U.S. service members and a partner force service member were wounded as the result of an enemy attack during an operation today in Jubbaland, Somalia,” reads a statement by US Africa Command.
The New York Times reported that it was the first U.S combat death in Africa since last October ambush in Niger which claimed lives of three American soldiers.
According to the Times, roughly 500 American troops in Somalia mostly composed of a number of Special Operations units, including Army Green Berets, Marine Raiders and Navy SEALs spread across the country.
Al-Shabab through a statement posted on its affiliate media confirmed the attack saying its fighters killed one U.S. military soldier in an attack which took place in Bar-Sanguuni village which is located 45km north of Kismayo town.
“Our mujahedeen raided base manned by U.S. forces in Bar-Sanguuni village. The attack happened as it was planned, as for now, the Mujahideen understand that one U.S. soldier was killed and four others wounded in the attack,” the statement reads in part.
The ambush comes on the heel of another one on Somali Military Base in Wajid town in Bakool region.
The group stormed the base with IEDs and RPGs before engaging in fierce fighting with DNA soldiers backed Ethiopian troops.
The casualties of the battle have yet not been mentioned.
Since early last week, the Al-Shabab laughed attacks on several military bases in Kulbiyow, Bali-Khadar, Muqokori, Daynuunay localities.
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