MOGADISHU, Somalia – An airstrike was reported in the El-la-Helay area within the Galgadud region following an Al-Shabaab attack against a Somali army base, officials said.
The suspected US drone strike was carried out in support of the Somali troops battling to repel the attack in the village, which lies in the vicinity of Elbur town key Al-Shabaab base.
The details of the casualty figures remain unverified as the situation was tense and both sides were engaging in a battle that began after Al-Shabaab raided the SNA in the morning.
Shabelle Radio was unable to reach officials at Galmudug state at the time of the attack.
The federal government launched a large-scale offensive against al-Shabab in the Mudug and Galgaduud regions in the central parts of the Horn of Africa country.
The majority of the Clan militias also provided support to the SNA forces, which, the government said are on course to finish the first phase of the operation on August 22, 2023.
It is unclear which country belongs to the fighter jets that carried out the airstrike. The United States maintains a small troop presence in Somalia to support Somali military forces.
Al-Shabaab continues to conduct attacks both within Somalia and in neighboring states, targeting civilians, the Somali state, and the African Union transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
In August 2022, Mohamud launched a “total war” against al-Shabaab. In the first phase, Somali forces concentrated on the central regions of Hirshabelle and Galmudug, supporting local clans that were rebelling against al-Shabaab.
