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Federal Government of Somalia, AFRICOM target al-Shabab

Storyline:National News, Security

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In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting an al-Shabaab terrorist in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia, Mar. 5.

“Al-Shabaab’s leadership recently reiterated its primary focus of attacking American and Western targets beyond Somalia’s borders. Al-Shabaab remains fully committed to exporting violence,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Miguel Castellanos, deputy director of operations, U.S. Africa Command. “We support the international security assistance model in Somalia.  Our support, coupled with other international partners, restricts that ambition as the Somali forces continue to grow in capability.”

In Somalia, the U.S. works closely with our international partners on security sector development efforts, which include the United Nations, European Union, African Union, AMISOM and other troop-contributing countries. Together, we remain committed to Somali-led progress on improving conditions for a well-trained Somali National Security Force that can assume and sustain security within the country. By virtue of our capabilities, influence, and credibility, the U.S. is uniquely postured to support Somali efforts, including helping coordinate other international partner engagement. Incremental progress within Somalia is occurring because of the ongoing international effort.

U.S. Africa Command and our international partners recognize that stability in Somalia will not be achieved through purely military means.  The partner and allied forces we work with on a daily basis are trying to create security conditions to enhance governance and economic development.  As such, U.S. Africa Command’s security cooperation efforts are closely linked with the U.S. Embassy in Somalia’s political and economic initiatives targeting the root causes of instability.

The command’s initial assessment concluded this airstrike killed one (1), terrorist.

We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed as a result of this airstrike.