​Somalia’s government wants US to explain why it targeted its government forces

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Somali cabinet - the term of which expired at 10 September- held meeting on Thursday, to discuss on the recent US airstrikes in Mudug region of northern Somalia on Wednesday night, Garowe Online reports.

US airstrikes has caused stir when Galmudug interim administration announced to the media that US bombing has targeted their troop’s base, killing 22 soldiers in Buraad area, 15 km east of Galkayo city, and accused rival neighboring Puntland of misinforming US that they were Al Shabaab militants group.  

The announcement have prompted civilians in Galmudug controlled areas of Galkayo to protest and burn US flags and images of US President Barack Obama.

In Washington, U.S. Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis told reporters on Wednesday that the US had carried out a "self-defence air strike" after Somali troops took fire from fighters as they tried to stop an improvised explosive device making network.

Somalia’s cabinet requests the US government to give further explanation about the attack its planes carried out on Galmudug troops, and their coordination with Somalia’s security agencies," read cabinet statement.

The cabinet was concerned about Puntland role in the airstrikes against Galmudug forces and expressed its condolences to the people of Galmudug, it announced that it will form a committee that includes government Ministers to investigate the recent incident.

Somalia’s cabinet urged both Puntland and Galmudug that often clashed over contested territories in the recent years, to restore relations.

The United States, a major donor to Somalia, has frequently carried out airstrikes against Al Shabaab militants group and commanders to support the Somali government.

Somalia has been trying to rebuild since the collapse of its central government in 1991, which plunged the country into riven clan rivalries and Islamists insurgency.

GAROWEONLINE