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AFRICOM denies it conducted airstrikes in southern Somalia last week

Storyline:National News, Security
AFRICOM commander Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser (R) with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj during a past function in Germany. AFRICOM denied any airstrikes in southern Somalia last week. File Photo: AFRICOM
AFRICOM commander Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser (R) with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj during a past function in Germany. AFRICOM denied any airstrikes in southern Somalia last week. File Photo: AFRICOM

The US command in Africa, AFRICOM has denied reports that US strikes killed 100 Al-Shabaab militants in Wargaduud and El-Adde areas of south western Somalia.

In a media release Monday, AFRICOM said the reports were false and that US forces did not conduct such a strike during the said period.

“The U.S. military did not conduct any kind of kinetic action in that area during the timeframe referenced,” the statement read adding, “The most recent U.S. strike in Somalia was conducted in January, 2017.”

Xinhua news agency reported Saturday more than 100 Al-Shabaab militants including 20 commanders were killed is a US strike.

US forces have in the past conducted airstrikes neutralizing senior Al-Shabaab leaders among them its leader Ahmed Godane in the September 2015 strike and a number of senior intelligence figures of the group.

AFRICOM said the US was sending a few dozen troops from the 101st Airborne Division to conduct various Security Cooperation and/or Security Force Assistance events in Somalia.