US strike in Somalia kills 3 al-Shabaab militants

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. confirmed Wednesday that it carried out an airstrike in central Somalia targeting the al-Shabaab terror group.

Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the mid-morning strike Tuesday in Somalia's Bay Region killed three al-Shabaab militants.

The sortie was carried out in coordination with Somalia's central government in support of Somali forces and the African Union's Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the command said in a statement.

"U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats," AFRICOM said.

"This includes partnering with AMISOM and the Somali National Security Forces (SNSF); targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world."

The U.S. designated al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization in 2008.

Al-Shabaab has publicly boasted of its alliance with al-Qaeda and has been warring against Somalia's internationally recognized government for control of the country since it was ousted from the capital by African Union-led forces in 2011.