United States Africa Command in conjunction with Somali National Army has conducted a collective self-defense strike on Feb 10, 2023, an engagement against al-Shabaab as requested by the Somali Government.
According to the statement released by US Africa Command on Saturday, the strike occurred in a remote area approximately 45 km southwest of Hobyo, Somalia and about 472 km northeast of Mogadishu.
It stated further that the initial assessment on the strike killed 12 al Shabaab fighters while given the remote location of the operation, the command assessed that no civilians were injured or killed.
“Rooting out extremism requires intervention beyond traditional military means”, the statement said.
Adding that Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud publicly stated that economic reform, social and political reconciliation, and religious tolerance are key pillars of his strategy to mobilize society against international terrorist.
“Military actions are only a part of the Federal Government of Somalia’s efforts to comprehensively address their security challenges”, the President said.
Meanwhile, United States 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.
While U.S. Africa Command is the defense arm of the U.S. whole-of- government approach with African partners — diplomacy, development and defense.
This three-pronged, or “3D” approach brings together multiple agencies from within the U.S. government to increase cooperation and support for partner-led, U.S.-enabled solutions to shared security challenges, including violent extremism or terrorism.
“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 State Department and USAID colleagues programs that help build resilience through education and training; develop agricultural diversity; improve markets and trade; and strengthen democracy and good governance.”
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.
U.S. Africa Command will continue to assess the results of this operation and will provide additional information as appropriate. Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operations security.
Federal Government of Somalia and US Africa Command will continue to take great measures to prevent civilian casualties and protecting civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.
