The U.S. military conducted a strike on Friday against al Shabab terror group in the Mudug region, killing 12 al-Shabab fighters, US Africa Command said in a statement on Sunday.
The strike occurred in a remote area approximately 45 km southwest of Hobyo, and about 472 km northeast of Mogadishu.
US Africa Command said in a news release that no civilians were hurt or killed in the strike.
“U.S. Africa Command provides support to the Somali government to address terrorist threats, but we are only part of the U.S. efforts there,” said Gen. Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander.
“Our Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development colleagues have programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance.”
The U.S. is one of several countries providing humanitarian aid, stabilization efforts, economic development, and military assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia in their ongoing campaign.
Somalia remains central to stability and security in all of East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces train, advise, and assist partner forces to help give them the tools they need to defeat al-Shabaab, the largest and most deadly al-Qaeda network in the world.