Airstrikes target Al-Shabaab leaders in Somalia

In a joint operation with the Somali National Army, international partners carried out an airstrike targeting a gathering of high-level Al-Shabaab leaders near Jamame town in the Lower Jubba region, state-run SONNA news agency.

The attack “was based on credible intelligence gathered by security forces” and the purpose was “to disrupt the activities of the extremist group”, SONNA noted.

Jamame is one of the Al-Qaeda linked group’s major strongholds and one of its major sources of income with the group collecting huge taxes from the town.

Its strategic location makes it a suitable launch pad for major attacks targeting nearby towns in the region.

While reporting that there were heavy casualties among the militants, the state media stopped short at providing the exact number of casualties.

The attack comes amid a slowdown in anti-terror operations in recent months.