At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, the U.S. conducted Africa Command an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who attacked Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, on September 18.
The command’s initial assessment is that the attack killed 27 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured. US forces are authorized to conduct strikes in defense of designated partner forces. The defensive attacks allowed forces of the Somali National Army and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt al-Shabaab in the Hiraan region of central Somalia. This operation is the largest combined offensive Somali and ATMIS operation in five years.
U.S.A. Africa Command takes major measures to prevent civilian casualties. These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly carries out against the civilian population.
Violent extremist organizations such as al-Shabaab pose long-term threats to Somali, regional and US interests. The United States will continue to support Somali and ATMIS partners in defeating al-Shabaab terrorists who threaten the peace and stability of Somalia.
