MOGADISHU, Somalia – In another bold move this year, the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM) confirmed conducting airstrikes against Al-Shabaab insurgents. This marks the second time in recent months that they have targeted these militants notorious for causing unrest in the region, with the previous strikes occurring towards the close of the last year.
The latest decisive action took place on December 31st and resulted in the elimination of at least a dozen Al-Shabaab operatives. According to US AFRICOM, this operation was undertaken in ‘self-defense’ against the entrenched militants near Beer Xaani, approximately 35 kilometers from Kismayo.
Post-strike evaluations revealed that 10 Al-Shabaab militants were neutralized without any civilian casualties. The command also arranged the safe retrieval of injured soldiers.
“Alongside the aerial operation, U.S. personnel offered critical assistance to Somali forces by rescuing soldiers under fire from this terror faction,” the spokesperson mentioned.
“Al-Shabaab has demonstrated its capacity to strike U.S. and allied forces fiercely. This group’s tenacious acts pose grave threats to security interests of the U.S. and allies within and beyond Africa,” the statement continued.
For numerous years, U.S. Africa Command has formed a solid alliance with Somalia’s federal government and its armed forces in their quest for peace and stability, persistently targeting Al-Shabaab insurgents who threaten both innocents and security enforcers.
During operations, utmost caution is exercised by U.S. Africa Command to minimize harm to civilians. “Safeguarding civilian life plays a crucial role in promoting a more stable and secure Africa,” the statement iterated.
The team also shared, earlier in the week, the successful elimination of Mohamed Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman. He was a significant figure within Al-Shabaab, eliminated in a similar strike on December 24th. Mire masterminded finances behind Kenya’s Westgate Mall assault in 2013 and the Dusit D2 attack in 2019.
AXADLETM
