US military conducts strikes on al-Shabaab compound

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In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, US Africa Command conducted two airstrikes in Somalia on 1 January 2021.

Both strikes targeted al-Shabaab compounds in the vicinity of Qunyo Barrow, Somalia. “Current assessments indicate the strikes killed three and wounded one al-Shabaab members and destroyed six and damaged one al-Shabaab compound buildings,” Africom said.

The command’s initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed as a result of the operation designed to disrupt and apply pressure to the al-Shabaab terrorist network.

“This action clearly demonstrates our continuing commitment to Somalia and our regional partners,” said US Army Major General Joel Tyler, director of operations for US Africa Command. “We retain the means and the will to strike the al-Shabaab terrorist network when necessary to protect the region and ultimately, our own nation.”

“Al-Shabaab remains a threat to Somalia’s future and US interests, and we will continue to disrupt their efforts to terrorize innocents,” said US Air Force Major General Dagvin Anderson, Joint Task Force-Quartz commander. “Our strikes help keep these terrorists off balance to help our partners then address deeper problems such as governance and development.”