MOGADISHU, Somalia – The U.S. military says it has conducted a self-defense airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants near Tortoroow, a town lies some 62km south west of Mogadishu.
The strike was carried out on May 5, 2019 in support of Somalia’s continued efforts to degrade the al Qaeda linked Al Shabaab.
U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg Olson, U.S. Africa Command director of operations says Somali, US troops came under attack by Al Shabaab near the town.
Olson says three Al Shabaab militants were killed in a self-defense airstrike.
The strike comes after Somali forces, who were leading an operation to disrupt the militants’ network in the area came under ambush attack.
The ambush attack triggered a fierce clash between Somali, US troops and Al Shabaab.
Olson said U.S. troops would continue to work with its partners to weaken Al Shabaab.
He says U.S. forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to assist in the protection of the Somalia.
