The United States military conducted a targeted airstrike in southern Somalia on December 31, killing 10 members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
The attack, which took place in the town of Beer Xaani, approximately 35 kilometers from the port city of Kismayo, was carried out at the request of the Somali government.
According to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), an initial post-strike assessment confirmed that no civilians were harmed in the operation.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has been engaged in a violent insurgency against Somalia’s fragile federal government for over 17 years. The group has carried out numerous attacks across the country, including in the capital, Mogadishu, in 2024.
The airstrike comes shortly after an attack by the Islamic State group to the north, which Somali government forces successfully repelled.
AFRICOM stated it would continue to assess the results of the airstrike and provide additional information as necessary.
The US has invested significantly in combating the Al-Shabaab insurgency, despite changes in military strategy over the years. President Joe Biden reversed a decision made by his predecessor, Donald Trump, to withdraw US troops from Somalia.
Somalia, one of the world’s poorest nations, faces ongoing challenges, including civil war, climate disasters, and relentless militant violence.
