The US military on Saturday killed 52 Somali Islamists during air strikes following an attack by Shebab fighters against a Somali military base in the south of the country, according to a statement from the US command in Africa.
Air strikes. The airstrikes were carried out "in response to an attack by a large group of Somali Shebab against Somali national forces, which killed 52 fighters," the statement said. Earlier, at least eight Somali soldiers were killed on Saturday morning by Shebab fighters in the attack on their camp on the outskirts of Kismayo, a southern port city, according to military officials and local leaders.
Terrorist attacks. The Islamist fighters, heavily armed, had launched their attack at dawn, followed by an exchange of fire that lasted several hours. "The terrorists attacked the Bulogagdud military base with heavy weapons and explosives, the Somali army and Jubaland forces resisted the enemy before they retreated," he said by phone. AFP Mohamed Abdikarin, a Somali military official. "Six soldiers were killed during the attack and two others died after a car bomb exploded when the forces regained control of their base," he added. "The Shebab took control of the base and looted everything, set fire to the weapons depots and took a military vehicle, there were two helicopters that carried out air strikes during the attack." told AFP Hassan Rashid, a traditional chief from a nearby village.
Guerrilla and suicide bombings. The US military has intensified its air strikes against Islamist fighters since 2017. The Shebab claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming to have killed 42 Somali soldiers. They were chased out of Mogadishu in 2011 and the Shebab then lost most of their strongholds. But they still control large rural areas from which they carry out guerrilla operations and suicide bombings, including in the capital, against government, security or civilian objectives. They swore the loss of the Somali government, supported by the international community and the 20,000 men of the Amisom. They claimed responsibility for Tuesday's attack on a hotel complex in Nairobi that killed 21 people and wounded 28 others.