MOGADISHU, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Somalia on Tuesday vowed to intensify military operations against Islamist State (IS) and Al-Shabaab militants to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.
Information Minister Abdurahman Omar Osman said the government will use all available resources, including foreign military support from international partners, to flush out terrorists from Somalia.
"The government will continue the military operations, including the use of airstrikes, against Al-Shabaab in response to the cowardly attacks against civilians, as well as on Somali security forces and AMISOM," Osman said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
AMISOM stands for African Union Mission in Somalia, a peacekeeping mission operated by the AU with the approval of the United Nations Security Council.
Osman's statement came after a series of airstrikes by the U.S. military in the Horn of Africa nation, which reportedly killed "several" IS and Al-Shabaab militants, in a joint operation with Somali forces.
The U.S. forces have vowed to continue using all authorized and appropriate measures to protect Americans and to disable terrorist threats.
Osman said all airstrikes and offensive operations taking place in Somalia are well planned and "our leaders sought assurances that in attempts to avoid civilian casualties, all necessary precautions are taken prior to every airstrike."
The minister lauded the Somali people for their support to military operations against terrorists who have killed innocent people, including the Oct. 14 truck bomb attack that left at least 358 people dead.
"We cannot thank enough the support of our people for saying 'enough is enough' following the 14 October truck bomb attack in Mogadishu," said Osman. "Winning hearts and minds of our people is key to the success of counter terrorism in Somalia."
