One Shabaab fighter killed in an airstrike in southern Somalia

At least one al-Shabaab fighters have been killed and two others were injured in bombardments in southern Somalia.

In a statement, U.S. Africa Command said US military conducted two airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab terrorists and a compound in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia this week.

“Airstrikes are one way we help prevent al-Shabaab from building a safe haven to plan deadly attacks against the U.S. homeland and East African partners,” said U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command.

The statement confirmed that the bombardment killed one operatives.
The mission said “Initial assessments conclude one (1) al-Shabaab facility was severely degraded, and two (2) al-Shabaab terrorists were wounded as a result of these two airstrikes,”

The mission said “We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of these airstrikes.”

U.S. Africa Command vowed that it will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.

The statement further reads ” In support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations with the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali National Army forces,”

The strikes came as Somalia forces are scheduled to take the lead on security in the country in 2020. The United Nations’ African Union Mission in Somalia currently leads the security after a mandate extended their deployment but reduced personnel by 1,000 last year.