The U.S. military says it has carried out an airstrike in southern Somalia that killed three Al-Shabaab militants.
A statement on Wednesday evening from the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) says the attack took place on Monday in Jilib district.
The strike was conducted “in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia,” Africom said in the statement.
Africom vowed that U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and disable terrorist threats.
“This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world,” the military noted.
The date of the attack coincides with the day Alshabaab claimed to have killed a US soldier during a gun battle that took place near Kismayo.
“AMISOM and US troops came in helicopters to the area between Yontoy and BuulaGaduud villages. Our fighters responded to the attack as a result one US soldier was killed and several wounded,” said the group in a statement posted on a pro-Alshabaab website.
The U.S military refuted Alshabaab claims saying no American soldier was killed or injured in Southern Somalia by Alshabaab.
“We are aware of the reports but they incorrect. No American military soldier was killed or even injured on the outskirts of Kismayo as alleged in the report,” said the spokesperson of AFRICOM, Samantha Reho.
The airstrike will be the first of its kind since President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo last month declared new offensives against Alshabaab.
Al-Shabaab has been trying since 2007 to overthrow that government, which has the support of the international community.
