Africom says it killed five Al Shabab terrorists in air strike

It said no civilians were injured or killed in the attack

Rescuers carry a man who was injured in an attack on a restaurant by Somali Islamist group al Shabaab in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, October 1, 2016. REUTERS

The US Africa Command said it killed five Al Shabab terrorists in an air strike on Tuesday near Janaale, Somalia.

The command, known as Africom, said the attack was in co-ordination with the Somalian government.

“Our strikes are a key effort to combating terror and helping to bring stability to Somalia,” said US Army Brig Gen Miguel Castellanos, the mission's deputy director of operations.

“Not only do they degrade Al Shabab’s ability to conduct violent activities in the region, but they illuminate the fighter network and impede the Al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organisation’s ability to recruit and export terrorism.”

Africom said no civilians were Killed or injured in the strike.

On Sunday, a senior Al Shabab commander was killed by a US air strike in Somalia.

"Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud was a senior operational leader responsible for exporting terror in Somalia as well as attacks into Kenya," Africom spokesman Col Christopher Karns said.

“He has been a senior Al Shabab member for over a decade."

The US had offered a $5 million (Dh18.3m) reward for information of his whereabouts.

In Somalia, the US works closely with international partners on security development. They include the UN, EU, the African Union and other countries contributing troops.

Africom said it recognised that stability in Somalia would not be achieved through military means alone.

It said that it and allied forces tried to create security conditions to enhance governance and economic development in the country.