11 August, 2017
The U.S. military says it conducted two drone strikes Thursday against Al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab fighters in southern Somalia.
No details were provided by U.S. Africa Command as to the targets of the airstrikes, which were the fourth offensive airstrikes carried out in Somalia since President Trump authorized such actions in March.
SouthWest state (which encompasses the Bakool region) acting president Mohamed Hassan Fiqi said that the fighting which continued all through Wednesday in the Bakool region, killed 13 Al-Shabaab and six Abu Mansoor militants.
Local sources said the operation specifically targeted a group of militants at Shashweyn area near the capital, Mogadishu.
"We continue to work in coordination with our Somali partners and allies to systematically dismantle al-Shabaab and help achieve stability and security throughout the region", the statement said.
Meanwhile, Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi "Farmajo" Mohamed said Thursday that he had authorized a coordinated strike with global partners that killed a high-level al-Shabab leader who was behind Mogadishu bombings and assassinations.
The president gave the USA military authority to target al-Shabab in a designated area of Somalia south of Mogadishu with prior notification to the Somali government.
