The Federal Government of Somalia announced today that a “a large number” of Al-Shabaab operatives were killed in an American airstrike in the Middle Shabelle region. The operation was coordinated, the government said, with the Somali National Army and the United States Africa Command.
It was confirmed to local media by a Somali government statement that the airstrike targeted specific Al-Shabaab elements involved in recent fighting against Somali forces in the Alkowsar region. The statement did not provide a number of confirmed casualties, but state an evaluation of the airstrike was underway by the Somali government.
However, the attack’s particulars were still not confirmed by independent sources apart from the official report released by the out-survived Somali Ministry of Information. The Somali government, however, continues to maintain its stand on eradicating the terrorist group and restoring peace and stability to the area.
This airstrike is an ongoing military operation aimed to weaken Al-Shabaab’s overall capabilities and maintain key strategic areas that were formerly in the hands of the militants. All efforts by the Somali National Army, with international partnership support, have been aimed at pushing Al-Shabaab out of its positions in key regions all over Somalia.