In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in self-defense, targeting al-Shabaab militants 50 kilometers northwest of Kismayo, Lower Juba Province, Somalia, on Sept. 21, 2018.
The U.S. airstrike was conducted against militants after U.S. and partner forces came under attack. We currently assess eighteen (18) terrorists were killed in the strike. Two (2) other terrorists were killed by Somali forces with small arms fire during the engagement.
We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike.
U.S. forces will continue to use all authorized and appropriate measures to protect U.S. citizens and to disable terrorist threats. This includes partnering with AMISOM and Somali National Security Forces in combined counterterrorism operations and targeting terrorists, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the region.