Over eleven Al-shabaab fighters have been killed in airstrikes carried out unidentified war planes in central Somalia, official confirmed.
El-bur district commissioner, Noor Hassan Gutale told Halbeeg News that Sunday’s strikes hit Al-Shabab convoy and a training camp near Elbur town of Galgaduud region.
“The aerial bombardments were conducted by drones. The first attack targeted Al-shabab convoy, leading the death of 11 Al-shabab members as the second one hit a training camp,” Noor confirmed.
Noor said the second strike by the unmanned drones killed several fighters but the exact figure was not immediately available.
A VOA Somali journalist, Harun Maruf who spoke to officials also confirmed the attack saying among those killed in the bombardment was a well known poet.
“3 airstrikes reported in areas controlled by Shabab. Near El-Bur, a strike hit a vehicle killing 3 including pro-Shabab poet Yusuf Dhegey, a second strike hit militant camp in same area. 3rd strike targeted Kamjaron West of Kismayo, 3 dead; local MP says they’re civilians: Officials,” said Maruf in a twitter post.
It is not yet clear which country was involving the attack against the group though United States carried dozens of airstrikes against Al-shabab.
Since late 2016, when President Donald trump assumed the office, US military stepped airstrikes targeting Al-shabab bases and their convoys.
Early this year, US military said its support for the Federal Government of Somalia was making an impact in a year in which the Trump administration increased attacks against Al-shabab.
In 2017, the U.S. conducted at least 34 strike operations against Al-shabab and a splinter group supporting the Islamic States, of which a single attack against Al-shabab training camp killed over 100 recruits.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo vowed to increase his government’s operations to fight against Al-shabab this year.
Farmajo said his government’s target would be to conclude the fight against Al-shabab before the mandate of African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) come to an end.
The AU pullout is set to be complete by the end of 2020.
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