US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced via news release on Friday that the armed forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, had carried out a total of two airstrikes against al-Shabaab terrorist targets in the country.
AFRICOM revealed that the strikes, which took place around Somalia’s Qunyo Barrow on February 28, eliminated two terrorists and, according to current assessments, did not injure or kill any civilians.
The armed forces did not reveal what type of aircraft was used to carry out the airstrikes.
“The support the US provides to our partners in our cooperative efforts to enhance security throughout Africa is unmatched by our competitors and is vital to not only East African security but to protecting the America forces on the continent and abroad,” said US Army Brigade General and AFRICOM Deputy Director of Intelligence Gregory Hadfield in the Friday release.
“Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, is an evil and remorseless enemy of peace, stability, and freedom in East Africa and threatens the very way of life of people there, as well as Americans and US interest in the region and abroad,” US Army Gen. and AFRICOM Commander Stephen Townsend said in the February 25 release.
This sentiment was reiterated on Friday, but the armed forces made clear that it does not believe al-Shabaab possesses the “capability to strike US homeland.”
AFRICOM has consistently announced airstrikes against al-Shabaab over the past few weeks. Speaking with African senior military leaders, Townsend was quoted as saying that it was the US’ “job to prevent” al-Shabaab from carrying out more attacks on civilians – as well as Americans and US interests.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
0.00 (0%) 0 votes
