MOGADISHU, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States military confirmed Tuesday its forces carried out a joint airstrike against Al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia on Monday but the exact number of casualties remains unclear.
The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) spokesman Patrick Barnes told Xinhua the joint operation with Somalia security forces occurred at about 56 km southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.
"We are currently assessing the results of the strike. The operation occurred in southern Somalia, about 35 miles southwest of the capital, Mogadishu," Barnes said.
Local residents said the airstrikes took place near Al-Shabaab controlled town in Somalia's southern Lower Shabelle region, targeting a convoy carrying insurgents, who were traveling in the outskirts of the area.
Barnes said the U.S. 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), targeting terrorists, their training camps and safe havens throughout Somalia, the region and around the world," he said.
The Al-Qaida allied militant group has pledged allegiance to Al-Qaida and is dedicated to providing safe haven for terrorist attacks throughout the world.
"Al-Shabaab has publicly committed to planning and conducting attacks against the U.S. and our partners in the region," said Barnes.
The militants have recently increased their attacks against Africa Union and Somali forces especially in Mogadishu, where a deadly attack took place on Saturday that claimed 279 lives.
The Monday strike also comes after Al-Shabaab militants regained control of Bariire, which is located about 60 km southwest of Mogadishu after allied forces vacated the area last week.
