Source: Wikipedia Commons /  American drones such as the remotely piloted General Atomics MQ-1 Predator,  have been used primarily by the United States Air Force for counter-terror airstrikes in the Horn-of-African nation Somalia.

By Gary Raynaldo       DIPLOMATIC TIMES

A U.S. airstrike against Al Shabaab killed six jihadists after they attacked partner forces from a building in the vicinity of Dar as Salam, Somalia,  U.S. Africa Command said.  In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. AFRICOM conducted an airstrike on Monday targeting al-Shabaab terrorists after the attack on partner forces.  According to AFRICOM, when the airstrike occurred, U.S. forces were in the vicinity in order to advise and assist Somali partner forces.   AFRICOM said Al-Shabaab falsely claimed U.S. casualties. No U.S. forces were injured or killed during the attack, the U.S. military said. 

“Al-Shabaab is a dangerous enemy, It is a danger to Africa and the United States. “We will continue to place pressure on the network and impact their ability to plan and execute these acts.”

-said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, deputy director for operations, U.S. AFRICOM

International efforts and the persistent pressure placed on al-Shabaab helps contain the group’s broader ambitions and desire to conduct attacks beyond Somali borders, AFRICOM said.  Al-Shabab remains the most active Islamic extremist group in Africa, and the U.S. under President Donald Trump has increased the number of airstrikes against it.  Last week, a U.S. airstrike against Al Shabaab in the southeastern Lower Shabelle region in Somalia killed one jihadist.  According to AFRICOM, the terrorist, who had a history of working with explosives, was making preparations to emplace Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on a public road. No civilian casualties were assessed.

US Military Admits Killing Civilians in Past Somalia Counter-Terror Airstrike

The US goal in Somalia is to weaken al-Shabab militarily in order to foster a political settlement,  according to senior officials of AFRICOM.  The airstrikes are not without controversy, as there have been reports of civilian casualties.  The Pentagon acknowledged in April that a military strike in Somalia more than a year ago killed two civilians and injured three more.  Many accuse the US of playing down and/or disputing civilian deaths.   AFRICOM made the surprise admission concerning civilian casualties in its campaign against al-Shabaab. As part of the command’s commitment to transparency, Africom is implementing a quarterly report on the status of ongoing and completed civilian casualty allegations and assessments. It is only the second time in recent years Africom has admitted civilian casualties in Somalia in association with airstrikes.