Sunday May 26, 2019
U.S. military on Saturday said it conducted an airstrike targeting
al-Shabaab militants in the Golis Mountains of the semi-autonomous
regional state of Puntland.
In a statement, U.S. Air Force Brig.
Gen. Robert Huston, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command
said in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, the mission
carried out the airstrike against the group on May 24, 2019.
The attack killed three Al-Shabaab militants.
"At this time, it is assessed the airstrike killed three (3) militants.
Currently, we assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of
this airstrike. Our process and procedures allow for additional
information to inform post-strike analysis," said Gen. Robert Huston.
The
mission stated precision airstrikes such as these support Somali
security forces efforts to protect the Somali people from terrorism
while creating opportunities for increased governance to take hold.
U.S. Africa Command
pledged that it will continue to work with its partners to transfer the
responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from AMISOM to the
Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.
"In
support of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces will use all
effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the
Somali people, including partnered military counterterrorism operations
with the Federal Government of Somalia, AMISOM, and Somali National Army
forces," the statement reads.