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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. forces conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab militants in the vicinity of Harardere, Somalia, on Oct. 12, 2018, as previously released.

We currently assess this airstrike killed approximately sixty (60) terrorists. This precision airstrike was the largest airstrike against al-Shabaab since Nov. 21, 2017, when U.S. forces conducted an airstrike against an al-Shabaab camp killing approximately 100 terrorists.

We also currently assess this airstrike did not injure or kill any civilians.

This precision airstrike was conducted in support of the Federal Government of Somalia as it continues to degrade al-Shabaab. Airstrikes reduce al-Shabaab’s ability to plot future attacks, disrupt its leadership networks, and degrade its freedom of maneuver within the region.

Alongside our Somali and international partners, we are committed to preventing al-Shabaab from taking advantage of safe havens from which they can build capacity and attack the people of Somalia. In particular, the group uses portions of southern and central Somalia to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, extort the local populace to fund its operations, and shelter radical terrorists.

desired end state in East Africa is one in which terrorist organizations cannot destabilize Somalia and its neighboring states, nor threaten the interests of the U.S. and its international allies in the region. Accordingly, U.S. Africa Command will continue to work with its partners to transfer the responsibility for long-term security in Somalia from the African Union Mission to Somalia to the Federal Government of Somalia and its Member States.