The strike occurred in a remote area near Xaradheere,
Somalia, approximately 396 km northeast of Mogadishu where Somali forces were
conducting operations.
The initial assessment is the strike killed two al-Shabaab
terrorists.
Given the remote location of the operation, the initial
assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed.
The U.S. is one of several countries providing support to
the Federal Government of Somalia in its ongoing campaign to disrupt, degrade
and defeat terrorist groups. Rooting out extremism ultimately requires
intervention beyond traditional military means, leveraging U.S. and partner
efforts to support effective governance, promote stabilization and economic
development, and resolve ongoing conflicts
U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S.
whole-of-government approach with African partners — diplomacy, development
and defense. This three-pronged, or “3D” approach aims to increase cooperation
and support for “partner-led, U.S.-enabled” solutions to shared security
challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism. All kinetic operations
conducted and supported by U.S. Africa Command are done in coordination with
the Federal Government of Somalia.
Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of
East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and
equipping partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat
al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of
this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific
details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order
to ensure operations security.
The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S.
Africa Command take great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting
civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater
security for all Africans. To view the U.S. Africa Command Quarterly Civilian
Casualty reports
Source: U.S. Africa Command
