MOGADISHU, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States military said Wednesday its special forces conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab terrorists in southern Somalia on Monday, killing three militants.
The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said the airstrike which was conducted in cooperation with Somali government occurred in the vicinity of Jilib and no civilians were killed during the strike.
"In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants on Feb. 19, in the vicinity of Jilib, Somalia, killing three terrorists," Africom said in a statement.
"We assess no civilians were killed in this strike," said Africom, which has in the past conducted counterterrorism airstrikes against the terror group in the Horn of Africa nation.
The military said its forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats.
"This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces (SNSF) in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region," it added.
The militants have recently increased their attacks against Africa Union and Somali forces especially in Mogadishu targeting their bases, hotels and other public places.