US drone attacks kill 29 in eastern Somalia

Thursday, June 28, 2012

A US assassination drone. (File Photo)

US assassination drone strikes have claimed the lives of at least 29 people in eastern Somalia, Press TV has learned.

Dozens more have been injured in the attacks in the eastern town of Balad.

The attacks reportedly destroyed at least three al-Shabab militant bases. This comes a day after African Union and Somali troops captured Balad.

US assassination drones attacked the militants' Harweyne training base in Elasha Biyaha on the outskirts of Mogadishu on Friday, leaving at least 39 dead.

Washington has carried out assassination attacks using the unmanned aircraft in other countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Pakistan, and Yemen.

The United States claims the CIA-run strikes are aimed at militants. But witness reports and figures offered by local authorities indicate the attacks are taking a heavy toll on civilians.

The United Nations has also condemned the drone strikes, saying they pose a challenge to international law.

The weak Western-backed transitional government in Mogadishu has been battling al-Shabab for the past five years and is propped up by a 12,000-strong AU force from Uganda, Burundi, and Djibouti.

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