US strikes Al shabab in Somalia

An attack at about 300 miles in the Southwest of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, was carried out by the U.S forces on 4 July (Tuesday) in a self-defense airstrike, marking the second American attack on the Al shabab group in the last few days, in the war torn country – said the U.S military.

The U.S military apart from the operations’ details it offered, it did not disclose information regarding the number of Al shabab militants killed, as it was still assessing the results of the attack.

Al shabab is an Al- Qaeda linked militant group which has operated in Somalia for more than a decade. The group has proven itself to be resilient in the face of international efforts to topple it.

The group, in addition, has resisted defeat despite the efforts of the wide ranging international coalition of forces.

“The strike was conducted within the parameters of our authority to engage in collective self defense of our Somali partners,” AFRICOM said in a statement on Wednesday.

In March, Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America, granted Marine Gen. Thomas Waldhauser, who is the leader of AFRICOM, expanded authorities to launch offensive airstrikes against the terrorist group.

“While the granted expanded authorities haven’t altered what the military officials deem actionable intelligence on the battle field, the powers enable commanders to make decisions faster,” AFRICOM officials said.

The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is one of the nine unified combatant commands of the United States Armed Forces, responsible for U.S military operations and military relations with 53 African nations.

The AFRICOM responsibility covers all of Africa except Egypt which is under the United States Central Command.

On June 11, 2017, AFRICOM also attacked Al shabab’s command outpost in Somalia’s South, and killed eight of the militants, according to the reports.

“We shall continue to work in coordination with our Somali partners and allies to systematically dismantle Al shabab, and help achieve stability and security in the region,” AFRICOM said on Tuesday, after the strike.

The Al shabab, Al Qaeda linked military group is aiming at over throwing Somalia’s government, drive out African Union peacekeeping troops and impose its harsh laws in the country (Somalia).

Reporter: Shamilah Namuddu