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. (Source: Creative Commons)

By Gary  Raynaldo    –  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

A U.S. airstrike against Al Shabaab killed 5 insurgents near Hareeri Kalle, in Horn of Africa nation Somalia Thursday,  AFRICOM confirmed. The strike occurred in a remote area approximately 15 kilometers south of Galcad, Somalia targeting al-Shabaab terrorists.  AFRICOM said that , at the request of  the Federal Government of Somalia, the U.S.  conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against the militants. The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization, according to AFRICOM.  U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is the U.S. airstrike killed 5 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed. AFRICOM said Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa.

“U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.”

-AFRICOM statement

U.S. Africa Command said it will continue to assess the results of the operation and will provide additional information as appropriate.   AFRICOM added that specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.

U.S. Airstrikes in SOMALIA Rise Sharply Under President Biden 

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted two airstrikes in Somalia on Jan. 1, 2021.   The U.S. Biden administration on Jul 20, 2021 carried out its first airstrike in Somaila  (credit: africom.mil)

The military action came one week after the U.S. conducted  an airstrike against Al Shabaab that killed 10 militants north of Kismayo.  In December 2020, the Trump administration ordered the withdrawal of more than 700 U.S. troops from Somalia by early 2021. The Biden administration  resumed  military activity inside Somalia in the first quarter of 2022.   President Biden’s Department of Defense has since been striking hard against Shabaab, al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa.  By early June 2022, the Pentagon conducted at least eight airstrikes in Somalia.  US air strikes in Somalia increased 30 percent in 2022.