Pentagon officials today claimed that a USA drone strike against al-Shabaab fighters, meant to “support” Ugandan ground troops in the country, killed at least five fighters from the Islamist group, just west of Mogadishu.
(VillageSunTimes)- The official says at least seven militants were killed. The U.S. forces had been advising Ugandan soldiers with the African Union mission (AMISOM) during an operation against an illegal taxation checkpoint when the Ugandans got into a firefight with 15-20 al Shabaab fighters.
“They came under fire from the Al-Shabaab militants, and we called in an air strike in their defence”, Davis said. When the Ugandans were unable to completely suppress the Al-Shabaab fire, the US “advise and assist” team, which was in a concealed position nearby, called in an airstrike on the checkpoint.
“This is something we’re doing”. United States special forces are working alongside local partners to fight jihadists in several countries across Africa and the Middle East.
“We were nearby but not directly involved ourselves”, Davis told a Pentagon news briefing, adding that the American forces were further back from the fighting, acting in an advisory role. Typically, airstrikes in Somalia are carried out by drones, according to Davis.