U.S. carries out airstrikes against Al-Shabab in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. military says it has carried out two airstrikes against Al-Shabab extremist group in southern Somalia on Wednesday, January 23, becoming the 8th raid in 2019, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement, seen by Garowe Online, the US Africa Command [AFRICOM] said the latest airstrikes were conducted near Jilib district, the main Al-Shabab stronghold in Middle Juba region.

"To support the Federal Government of Somalia's continued efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, U.S. forces conducted two (2) airstrikes targeting al-Shabaab militants near Jilib, Middle Juba Region, Somalia, on January 23, 2019," read the statement in part.

The U.S. military did not say the number of militants killed but assessed no civilians were injured or killed in these airstrikes. 

Last Saturday, the U.S. announced its deadliest airstrike in Somalia in 2019, killing 52 of the al-Qaida-linked extremists after a "large group" mounted an attack on Somali forces.

The air raid which took place in the same region struck a pick-up truck carrying dozens of militants.

The U.S. has dramatically stepped up airstrikes against al-Shabab in Somalia since President Donald Trump took office in early 2017, carrying out at least 47 last year to diminish the Islamic extremist group’s “safe havens.”

GAROWE ONLINE