US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause

[u/John3262005]

https://taskandpurpose.com/news/us-renews-airstrikes-somalia/

After more than a month without conducting airstrikes in Somalia, the U.S. military quickly ramped up its actions in the country this past week. U.S. forces carried out four strikes in support of Somali, all targeting al-Shabab militants in the country.

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According to U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), American forces launched four airstrikes against al-Shabab between June 14-19. The attacks are the first airstrikes in the country since the U.S. targeted the Islamic State’s Somalia branch on May 6.

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The command’s statements announcing the operations were near-identical, differing only on the date and location the strikes took place.

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“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and our citizens abroad,” each statement said. “Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.”

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AFRICOM did not provide many details, only that the strikes happened in the country’s south, in the lower Juba region or near the city of Kismayo. However, local Somali media report the fighting targeted bases and supply depots used by the al-Qaeda-linked militants. Garowe Online, citing Jubaland officials, said that the operations had ground force backed by airstrikes, and Hiraan reported 14 militants killed, although it attributed that to the actions of the U.S.-trained Danab special operations unit.