The United States (US) forces have reportedly resumed carrying out air assaults against the Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia just few weeks after US President Joe Biden administration confirming of redeploying a hundred special operations Special Forces to the war-torn country.
On Friday June 3, US conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab fighters in a rural part of the country, in response to the Islamist militants attacking Somali government forces and ATMIS troops.
Five Al-Shabaab fighters were reported killed in the attack. “U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of designated partner forces,” AFRICOM said in its statement on the strike without specifying on the type of aircraft used to perform the air raid. This is the second airstrike this year by US, the first occurring in February, where a drone struck militant’s target following an attack on Somali troops.
In May, US President Joe Biden authorized the redeployment of hundreds of Special Operations forces back to Somalia to advise and assist and training mission to help the Somali government fight Al-Shabaab menace.
Counterterrorism assets have lauded US move on resuming airstrikes against Al-Shabaab positions/targets noting the airstrikes will be key towards disrupting Al-Shabaab network, movements besides plans.
AFRICOM has reiterated its commitment in support of Somali government stabilize and triumph over Al-Shabaab insurgency. “AFRICOM certainly recognizes the need to apply consistent international pressure on Al-Shabaab and to monitor their activity, presence, and actively confront them in order to prevent their spread. This can take several forms,” AFRICOM spokesman Col. Christopher P. Karns told media.
