​Somalia: 4 civilians killed in airstrike near Kismayo

KISMAYO, Somalia- At least five people, including four members of a single family, were killed by an overnight airstrike, as KDF jets continued to shell rebel-held areas near Kismayo, Garowe Online reports.

The Kenyan military air strike tore through Galashuunbi village located about 45 km west of Kismayo, killing five civilians after house has been hit by a missile fired by the warplanes, according to officials.

"Four people from one family, including woman and young children, were killed after their house was struck with an air strike shortly after midnight," said a local official who asked not to be identified.

He said there were no military installation near the site of the attack and no reported activity by al-Shabaab fighters, whom the Kenyan forces of AMISOM contingent are battling.

This is the latest in a series of air strikes to target civilians since Kenyan military, along with a coalition of other African countries, began AU mission in Somalia in 2007, to help the UN-backed government in the fight against al-Shabaab.

In a separate incident, al-Shabaab was reported to have launched a mortar attack on Bardere district in Gedo region on Monday night, killing one person, and wounding seven civilians, who were admitted into local hospital.

Somalia’s southern semi-autonomous region of Jubaland and Kenyan defense ministry are yet to comment on the civilians casualties resulted in the last night’s separate attacks in Lower Juba and Gedo regions.

GAROWEONLINE