The US military announced 10 militants were killed overnight in three additional airstrikes against al-Shabaab fighters in Somalia.
According to a statement from the U.S. Africa Command, often known as AFRICOM, the “collective self-defence” airstrikes were conducted in support of the Somali National Army, who were being attacked by al-Shabaab.
The attacks were carried out at the Federal Government of Somalia’s request in a rural area close to the town of Afmadow in the Lower Juba region, around 105 kilometres north of Kismayo.
“Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 10 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed,” the statement read.
According to AFRICOM, it will keep evaluating the operation’s outcomes and will offer more details as needed.
“Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security,” the statement said.
This takes the total of American airstrikes in Somalia this year to 13.
The Somali government has previously released information on three operations carried out by Somali soldiers in support of “international partners” close to Afmadow. According to a statement from the Ministry of Information, more than 40 insurgents were killed throughout the three operations.
In the meantime, al-Shabaab controlled town of Xagar in the Lower Juba region has been invaded by Somali government forces with the assistance of regional security forces from Jubaland on Sunday.
The capital of the Jubaland state, Buale, which has been under al-Shabab control for more than 15 years, lies 80 kilometres away from Xagar. Middle Juba, the only area completely under al-Shabaab control, is headquartered at Buale. It’s unknown whether the soldiers will make Xagar their permanent base or go on to Buale.