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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs See the article : Joint Reading of the Quad Ministerial Meeting – US State Department.
In coordination with the federal government of Somalia, US Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on 1 October. The attack occurred near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.
The command’s initial assessment is that the attack killed an al-Shabaab leader and that no civilians were injured or killed.
US Africa Command takes great measures to avoid civilian casualties. The protection of innocent civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.
Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active Al-Qaeda network in the world and has demonstrated both its willingness and ability to attack US forces and threaten US security interests. US Africa Command, along with its partners, continues to take steps to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and carrying out attacks against civilians.
Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. US Africa Command forces will continue to train, advise and equip partner forces to give them the tools they need to degrade al-Shabaab.
US Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and the assets used will not be released to ensure the security of the operations.
U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, with partners, counters malign actors and transnational threats, responds to crises, and strengthens security forces in order to advance U.S. national interests and promote regional security, stability and prosperity.