The U.S. military confirms it supported a Somali army operation and says it will look into the allegations of civilian deaths.
The U.S. military says it will look into claims that several civilians, including children, were killed in a U.S.-backed operation by Somalia’s army.
A statement by the U.S. Africa Command says it is aware of the “civilian casualty allegations” and is conducting an assessment into the situation.
The U.S. military confirms it was supporting Somali forces in an operation in an area where a local official says 10 civilians, including three children, were killed.
The U.S. Africa Command gives no further details on Friday’s operation. The U.S. this year has stepped up military efforts against the Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab.
The deputy governor of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region says the joint raid by foreign and Somali forces on a farm killed the civilians. The bodies were displayed in the capital, Mogadishu.
Somalia’s information ministry says eight al-Shabab fighters were killed in the operation and that no civilians were harmed.
