Airstrikes, ground operations are ongoing against al Shabaab in Somalia, with one U.S. soldier Injured, three members of Somali Special Forces killed in car bomb in the latest al Shabaab offensive according to Africom.
“One US service member was injured in an attack by al-Shabab this morning,” said a spokesman for the US Africa Command, alJazeera and AFP reported “US and Somali forces were conducting an advise, assist and accompany mission when al-Shabab attacked using a vehicle employed as an improvised explosive device and mortar fire.”
Initially created in 2013 by U.S. Africa Command, Military Coordination Cell – Somalia is tasked with establishing coordination between the African Union Mission in Somalia and U.S. forces in the country, according to AFRICOM official website.
U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting one terrorist in the vicinity of Kurtun Warey, Somalia, Aug. 20. The terrorist, who has a history of working with explosives, was making preparations to emplace Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a public road.
U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia terrorists after they attacked partner forces in a remote location near Timirshe, Somalia, July 21. Timirshe is located 140 kilometers southeast of Bosasso.
U.S. Africa Command continues to train Somali forces and support operations with precision airstrikes. In 2020, U.S. Africa Command has conducted 46 airstrikes to degrade the al-Shabaab terrorist network.
Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy that presents a threat to Somalia, its neighbors, and the United States. This Al-Qaeda aligned terrorist organization increasingly employs lies, engages in criminal acts, and blends into communities to create fear and intimidate local populations. They have engaged in a series of violent acts with no regard for the Laws of Armed Conflict, to include previously attacking a hospital and deliberately seeking to place civilians in harm’s way using protected structures, such as mosques, for military and offensive fighting purposes.
Al-Shabaab routinely attacks Somali citizens, military forces, and partners. Somali forces, the U.S., and international partners work toward preserving life while increasing security, stability, and ultimately, the long-term possibility of increased prosperity. Al-Shabaab relies on misinformation and lies, and the group continues to put out false information to include this week’s erroneous claim about the death of U.S. forces in an attack.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to expose the nature of this enemy and who and what they represent—an empty future.
**Statement attributed to Col. Chris Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command
