US military carries out first offensive airstrike against Al-Shabab in Somalia

Africa, News, US June 11, 2017 , by IRIA No Comments

US airstrike kills 8 Islamic extremists in Somalia

US and Somali forces carried out a joint attack against an al-Shabab command post on Sunday, destroying one of the jihadi group’s primary training and command centers.

At least eight al-Shabab militants have been killed in the attack.

U.S. forces conducted a strike operation against al-Shabab in Somalia today, approximately 185 miles southwest of Mogadishu, according to a statement issued by chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White.

This was the U.S. military’s first offensive airstrike against the jihadist fundamentalist group al-Shabaab in Somalia, targeting the group under the new authorities given by the Trump administration in March that allows offensive airstrikes.

“On June 11, at approximately 2 a.m. eastern daylight time, the Department of Defense conducted a strike operation against al-Shabaab in Somalia,” said Dana White, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson in a statement.

“The operation occurred approximately 185 miles southwest of Mogadishu,” White said.

“The U.S. conducted this operation in coordination with its regional partners as a direct response to al-Shabaab actions, including recent attacks on Somali forces,” White said.