(Reuters) – The U.S. military on Sunday stated that it believed it had eliminated 13 members of the al Shabaab group in southern Somalia through an airstrike conducted in the context of “collective self-defense.” This action was carried out upon the request of the Somali government.
Approximately one year ago, the Somali government and its allied forces launched a campaign aimed at driving al Shabaab, a group linked to al Qaeda, out of central regions of the country. While some progress has been made, with the removal of the group from certain areas, al Shabaab continues to perpetrate significant attacks.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) disclosed that it had executed an aerial offensive on Saturday near Seiera, which is located around 45 km (28 miles) northwest of Kismayo, in accordance with the Somali government’s appeal. AFRICOM’s statement explained, “The collective self-defense airstrike took place during the early hours of Aug. 26, providing assistance to the Somali National Army forces who were battling al Shabaab.”
A collaborative effort between the Somali National Army and U.S. Africa Command concluded that the airstrike resulted in the death of 13 al Shabaab fighters, while no harm was caused to any civilians. This is the preliminary assessment.
Somalia’s armed forces along with its allies successfully captured El Buur, the principal stronghold of the al Shabaab militia in the central area of the country, on Friday. This marks a significant advancement in the ongoing campaign.
Nevertheless, several military analysts and individuals involved in the operation have expressed skepticism regarding the government’s commitment to completely eradicate the group, deeming such assertions unrealistic.
(Reporting By Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn.; editing by Grant McCool)
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