The US and Somalia jointly executed an airstrike against al-Shabab militants, killing 12, during a violent struggle for the strategic town of Adan Yabaal, reinforcing concerns over a possible resurgence of jihadist activity within the country.
US and Somalia Conduct Airstrike Amid Ongoing Battle for Strategic Town
US and Somalia Conduct Airstrike Amid Ongoing Battle for Strategic Town
A coordinated airstrike targets al-Shabab militants in Adan Yabaal as tensions heighten in the region.
The U.S. and Somali forces have successfully conducted a precision airstrike targeting Islamist militants as they battle for control of the strategic town of Adan Yabaal, located north of Mogadishu. The airstrike, deemed "well-coordinated" by the Somali government, followed a raid by al-Shabab on the town, which serves as an essential base for military operations against the group.
According to the Somali information ministry, the airstrike resulted in the deaths of at least twelve militants, including several senior figures affiliated with the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab. This military action marks a significant response amid increasing fears of an al-Shabab resurgence, highlighted by a series of recent violent attacks, including one targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy last month.
Al-Shabab, which has been engaged in hostilities with the Somali government for almost two decades, aims to dismantle the federal government and impose an Islamist regime across the nation. While the African Union-led peacekeeping operation temporarily weakened the group during 2022 and 2023, it continues to pose a formidable threat through ongoing military operations.
In a statement released via social media platform X, the Somali government emphasized that the airstrike aimed to mitigate the threat of al-Shabab militants, targeting a location that the group used as a meeting point and hideout. Notably, officials confirmed there were no civilian casualties resulting from the strike.
Adan Yabaal has been a focal point of conflict, having fallen to al-Shabab in 2016 before being retaken by government forces in 2022. Fighting erupted once again when militants attacked the town with heavy explosives, raising alarms about control over the area. Local residents reported that militants had overtaken the town, although the government has yet to specify the current authority in the region.
The strategic importance of Adan Yabaal has not gone unnoticed, as President Mohamud visited the town just last month to meet with military officers, underscoring its significance in the fight against militant groups.
Separately, the national army reported the killing of at least 35 al-Shabab fighters near Baidoa on Thursday following an attempted assault on an army base. President Mohamud has acknowledged the challenges posed by militant advances while assuring that his administration is committed to eradicating the al-Shabab threat.
