The US Army denies having launched airstrikes in Somalia as militants killed
MOGADISHU, Somalia – The American Africa Command [AFRICOM] has denied airstrikes in the village of Ballow and Jambalul in Somalia on Monday after reports that the Somali national army [SNA] benefited from air bombardments as they fought with Al-Shabaab militants.
In an interview with the Voice of America, the U.S.-African Command, which is largely responsible for air assistance in Somalia, said it did not take part in Monday’s operation in which SNA troops attacked the villages between Afgoye and Bala’ad towns. .
This year, the U.S. Africa Command has carried out a total of seven airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia, but none have been carried out during the entire period Joe Biden has served as President of the United States of America.
Somali army radio reported an operation by government forces, backed by an air strike, in the villages of Ballow and Jambalul between the Afgoye and Bal’ad towns, adding that 25 militants were killed, 15 wounded during the sophisticated operation.
There have been concerns within Somalia over the recent US approach to air strikes, with senior military officials saying the lack of air strikes gives the world room for the Al-Shabaab re-flare. The airstrikes, they claim, have been critical in neutralizing the militants.
John Kirby, Pentagon’s press secretary, says the Biden administration has provided guidance on drone attacks around the world, adding that the United States will continue to work closely with its partners in the fight against the militants.
“We will clearly still be committed to working with international partners to address these threats,” he said. “It does not mean cessation,” It just means that the authorities to carry out some of these operations in some parts of the world, they will be visible at the national Security Council level “.
The U.S. Africa Command withdrew its troops from the Horn of Africa to the great detriment of Somali authorities. But the troops are now said to be working from Djibouti and Kenya, where the command is used as a temporary headquarters in Africa.
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