US airstrikes kill 10 al-Shabaab members in Somalia

US Africa Command’s airstrikes in Somalia have resulted in the death of ten members belonging to al-Shabaab, as confirmed by the Defense Department. According to a statement issued by US Africa Command, the operation was conducted in response to a request made by the Federal Government of Somalia. 

Three collective self-defense airstrikes were carried out during the night in a remote vicinity near Afmadow, situated approximately 105 kilometers north of Kismayo, targeting the al-Shabaab faction.

A joint evaluation performed by the Somalia National Army and US Africa Command has determined that ten individuals affiliated with al-Shabaab were eliminated as a result of the airstrikes. The assessment also confirms that no civilian casualties occurred during the operation.

The US Africa Command states that al-Shabaab, recognized as the largest and most active al Qaeda network globally, had previously held significant control over expansive regions of Somalia. However, government counter offensives conducted last year curtailed their influence, as government officials have reported.