Several Al-Shabaab militants killed in fresh airstrike in Somalia

Somali soldiers and resident stand near wreckage car and buildings on February 27, 2016, in Mogadishu, Somalia. At least 14 people were killed on February 26 as twin blasts and gunfire rocked a hotel and neighbouring park in central Mogadishu, police said, in an attack claimed by the Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants. / AFP / MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB (Photo credit should read MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB/AFP/Getty Images)

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Several Al-Shabaab militants were killed in a suspected US army airstrikes within Somalia officials said, in the latest crackdown geared towards restoring peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation which has been struggling with instability.

According to multiple sources, the US Africa Command, with assistance from the Somali National Army (SNA), killed over 55 Al-Shabaab militants in the Mudug region within Galmadug, marking one of the most deadly setbacks for the militants.

The airstrike, sources say, left over 40 militants badly wounded, with the defense ministry confirming that the operations will go on as planned to neutralize Al-Shabaab, a group that has traditionally caused chaos in the country.

Without giving several casualties, state media confirmed that a series of airstrikes were conducted at Jeex-jeexa forest, adding that the operation targeted Caad and Cadaley villages. The militants were gathering in the area, officials added.

"Somalia's National Army and International allies launch pre-dawn air assault, dismantling al-Shabaab bases in Mudug's Jeex-jeexa Forest. Precision strikes hit militant gathering near Caad and Cadaley," state media reports.

The airstrikes come just days after the government of Somalia announced the death of Moalim Ayman, the commander responsible for Al-Shabaab attacks in Kenya and Somalia. However, despite confirming the death, US Africa Command has not confirmed the name.

Ayman is believed to be the architect of the attack in Manda airstrip attack in January 2020 in Kenya which left three Americans dead. Since then, the US Africa Command has increased the intensity of operations within East Africa, a critical region for its stability.

GAROWE ONLINE