Latest reports from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) indicate that U.S. conducted two precision airstrikes in the vicinities of Jamaame and Deb Scinnele Lower Shabelle region of Somalia on Jan 19.
Initial assessments indicate that the strikes killed three Al-Shabaab operatives and destroyed a compound probably used for logistics and planning of attacks. The three killed terror operatives included Shabaab leaders involved in IED facilitation, fighter training, and attack planning.
The command initial assessment also noted that no civilians were injured or killed as a result this operation.
According to U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson, the commander of the Joint Task Force-Quartz, despite U.S. having pulled out of its troops from Somalia and maintaining a small presence, the U.S. will continue supporting Somalia in striking Al-Shabaab’s positions in an effort to disrupt their ability to attack the U.S. its allies and innocent Somalis through group’s indiscriminate improvised explosive devices.
Joimt Task Force- Quartz operations support AFRICOM and international partners’ efforts towards promoting a peaceful and stable Somalia and beyond.
So far U.S. conducted at least five successful air assaults against the Al-Qaeda affiliate, Al-Shabaab. One notable operation destroyed critical group’s infrastructures used to air Al-Shabaab’s propaganda and claims. US drone fired several strikes that targeted Al-Furqaan Radio Station in Kunya-Barow town in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Jan 1. Al-Furqaan, which has been operating in Al-Shabaab controlled areas for the past 11 years has been promoting Al-Shabaab propaganda.
Early in the week, a U.S. drone strike destroyed the Al-Shabaab’s Andalus Radio’s compound in Tiyeglow town of Bakol region of Somalia.
