US launches a fresh airstrike in Somalia

ESAT News (January 13, 2017)

US Africa Command announced that it launched an airstrike against Al Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia, while US advisors accompanied Somali and African Union forces in a counter terrorism exercise.

AFRICOM described the offensive a “self-defense strike,” according to a report by the Somalia based Shabelle news.

According to AFRICOM, US advisors accompanied a combined force of Somali and African Union troops on a raid in Gaduud, a town just north of Kismayo in southern Somalia. The area is a known hotbed for Shabaab, which has taken over nearby towns and villages, the report said.

AFRICOM said the combined military force was conducting offensive operations to “disrupt” al Qaeda’s branch in Somalia.

“During a counterterrorism operation to disrupt al-Shabaab, the combined partner forces observed al-Shabaab fighters threatening their safety and security,” AFRICOM said. “The US conducted a self-defense strike to neutralize the threat, no enemy fighters were killed.”

AFRICOM described Shabaab as a group of “violent extremists” who “endanger the safety and stability of the Somali people.”

The report said the US military has described airstrikes launched during other offensive operations against Shabaab targets such as training camps and IED factories as self-defense strikes and “defensive fires” missions. Last year, AFRICOM described nine such operations as defensive in nature.