2 Al-Shabaab militants killed in U.S. airstrikes in Somalia

Two Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in a U.S. airstrike near the town of Buulobarde in Somalia’s central Hiiraan region, the U.S. Africa Command said in a statement on Tuesday.

“In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, about 218 km north-northwest of Mogadishu, on Oct. 23,” the statement read.

It said no civilians were injured or killed according to its initial assessments noting that the command “takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties”.

It added, “U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.”

The U.S. airstrikes come amid an ongoing offensive led by Somalia’s security forces supported by armed local militias against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia.