US airstrike kill 15 Alshabab fighters in Somalia

The US government confirmed two new airstrikes against al-Shabab fighters in Somalia’s Hirshabelle State and the strikes came at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, and in support of the Somali National Army forces.

The first strike took place 176 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing seven Alshabab fighters, while the second strike took place approximately 220 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, killing eight al-Shabab members.

The US Africa command reported no civilian casualties during the attack. Somali government forces supported by local fighters have been conducting operations in the Hirshabelle and Galmudug states since August, freeing dozens of localities from al-Shabab.

Somali security officials said the United States is not the only country providing air support to government forces. Security officials said last month that Turkish drones were also providing air support to Somali forces.