The Somali armed group Al-Shabaab has fired mortar shells into an airbase in Balidogle town where American trainers are present.
The low scale attack that occurred shortly after midnight, caused no casualties, according to local sources in the capital, Mogadishu.
Balidogle airport is located about 110 km northwest of Mogadishu and U.S. forces offer training to Somali National Army fighting battling Al-Shabaab.
On Feb 17, 2019, the Al-Qaeda linked group Al Shabaab claimed to have killed three U.S. soldiers and 5 five other Somali especial commandos after a mortar attack on the Balidogle airbase. U.S. military denied all claims, saying none of its soldiers were killed or injured in the attack.
The latest attack on Balidogle air base though not successful shows Al-Shabaab’s capabilities and attempts of attacking even fortified areas.
The trainers Balidogle air base at were reported to be U.S. contractors working for Bancroft Global Development.
The U.S. military has increased its air and ground offensives against Al-Qaeda linked Al-Shabaab since President Donald Trump took office in 2017.
The United States in 2017 carried out 31 airstrikes, in 2018 it carried out 47 airstrikes and so far in 2019 it has carried out 35 airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.
