USA conducts strike operation in self-defense against al-Shabaab in Somalia

The U.S., which supports the Somali forces and their partners, struck in self-defense from a concentration of al-Shabaab fighters about 300 miles southwest of Mogadishu, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement. It did not disclose additional information such as the number of terrorists killed.

It was the latest in a spate of attacks on Kenyan security services since Nairobi sent troops into Somalia in 2011 to join a African Union force charged with neutralising militant and other armed groups and bolstering its United Nations -backed government.

While the Pentagon has not commented on who that is, local media have identified the target as Ibrahim Haji Daud, a senior al-Shabaab commander and leader of the group's intelligence unit.

Al Shabaab's military operations spokesman, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, confirmed Wednesday's attack to Reuters by phone.

Wednesday's strike follows a July 2 attack on Shabaab militants and a June 11 raid of a training center.

"We will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate", the USA military's Africa Command said in a statement.

Somali officials said Washington has carried out several drone strikes in recent years against the Al-Qaida-linked Al-Shabaab. There are now about 50 USA troops there.

Before Trump broadened the Pentagon's authorities, US military actions in the eastern African country each required high-level review by different agencies. It was not immediately clear who carried out the air strike.

The airstrike follows one in June that the US said killed eight Islamic extremists at a rebel command and logistics camp in the country's south.