Mogadishu September 22, 2022 (SD) – The U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) gave details of an airstrike that took place on September 18 in the Hiran region, in an area near Buulobarde district.

“At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against al-Shabaab terrorists who were attacking Somali National Army forces near Buulobarde, Somalia, on Sept. 18.” AFRICOM said.

The statement issued by the AFRICOM Command confirmed that the attack targeted Al-Shabaab members in an area near Buuloburde district, and that the attack resulted in casualties.

“The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed 27 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured. U.S. forces are authorized to conduct strikes in defense of designated partner forces.” AFRICOM said.

Adding “The defensive strikes allowed the Somali National Army and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forces to regain the initiative and continue the operation to disrupt al-Shabaab in the Hiraan region of central Somalia. This operation is the largest combined Somali and ATMIS offensive operation in five years.”

The attack comes as the Federal Government Army and the Ma’awisley group are conducting operations against Al-Shabaab in areas of HirShabelle and Galmudug regions, and there have been battles that have caused many losses.