The US military says it has carried out air strikes against al-Shabab in Somalia, killing at least 37 suspected fighters. In a statement on Tuesday, the US Africa Command (US AFRICOM) said the two strikes on Monday took place near Debatscile.
“Air strikes reduce al-Shabab’s ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks, and degrade its freedom of manoeuvre within the region,” the statement said. “We currently assess these strikes did not kill or injure any civilians.”
There was no immediate reaction from al-Shabaab, which is fighting to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognised government. operations against al-Shabab. Dozens of drone attacks followed, while this year there have been more than 20 air strikes against the group.
The US currently has about 500 military personnel in the Horn of Africa nation. Al-Shabaab was pushed out of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, in recent years, but continues to control rural areas in the south and central regions.