U.S. Africa Command Conducts Airstrike Against Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia, Aug 24- The United States Africa Command on Tuesday conducted what it termed as a “collective self-defense strike” against Al-Shabaab terrorists.

In a statement, the command said the airstrike was in active combat with “our Somali partners in the vicinity of Cammaara, Somalia.”

“U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in support of combatant commander-designated partner forces under the 2001 Authorization of Use for Military Force,” the command said.

A battle-damage assessment is still pending due to the ongoing engagement between al-Shabaab and Somali forces.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of the airstrike.

“The Federal Government of Somalia and U.S. Africa Command forces take great measures to prevent civilian casualties,” the Command said.

“These efforts contrast with the indiscriminate attacks that al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian population.

The Federal Government of Somalia and the U.S. remain committed to fighting al-Shabaab to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians. Violent extremist organizations like al-Shabaab present long-term threats to the U.S. and regional interests.”