Drone strike kills 2 Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle-AFRICOM

U.S. forces conducted its 35th airstrike in Somalia Sunday killing two Al-Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle region.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Monday the strike in  Tortoroow was in reinforcement to Somali forces who battling Al-Shabaab militants in the area.

“This airstrike is an example of the niche capabilities we provide our Somali partners as they take the fight to al-Shabaab,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg Olson, U.S. Africa Command director of operations.  “Our precision strike capabilities support our Somali partners as they continue to lead operations against the terrorist network.”

The strike adds to about 270 the number of Al-Shabaab attacks killed in airstrikes this year according to the London based Bureau of Investigative Journalism. The Bureau also estimates six civilians have been killed in U.S strikes since the beginning of the year.

The campaign group Amnesty International said 14 civilians were killed in U.S. drone strikes in Somalia in  2018 but AFRICOM said only two were killed.