U.S. airstrike kill two Al Shabaab militants in Somalia

Two Al Shabaab militiamen were on Wednesday killed in an airstrike conducted by U.S forces in southern Somalia (Courtesy)

KISMAYO—Two Al Shabaab militiamen were on Wednesday killed in an airstrike conducted by U.S forces in southern Somalia.

In a press statement released by U.S. Africa Command, the strike was carried out about 46 kilometers northeast of the port city of Kismayo.

“We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this air strike,” read the statement.

The U.S. military also stated that the airstrike was in coordination with the federal government of Somalia.

U.S. has recently conducted similar attacks near the capital.

On 3rd August, the U.S. reported to have killed four Al Shabaab militants 119 km of Mogadishu.

Al Shabaab often targets the capital with deadly attacks.

Last month, eight people were killed and scores wounded in a twin blast and gun battle near the presidential palace in Mogadishu.

In October 2017, the group was responsible for one of the bloodiest single terrorist attacks since 2001 when a bomb killed more than 500 people in Mogadishu.

“U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threat,” read a press statement from the U.S. Africa Command.

Somalia officials and residents have alleged that civilians were killed in  past airstrikes conducted by U.S. forces.

The U.S. has about 500 troops in Somalia including Special Operations Forces working as military advisers and conventional logistics personnel.

The U.S.this year only has carried out 20 airstrikes against the Al Shabaab.

This is after President Donald Trump approved expanded military operations against the group in 2017.