One U.S. soldier killed, four wounded in Somalia operation

Kenyan and U.S. troops during a combined task force in September 2016.
Kenyan and U.S. troops during a combined task force in September 2016. Copyright U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tiffany DeNault
By Alice Tidey & REUTERS
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

The combined force's aim is to liberate areas under the control of the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab.

ADVERTISEMENT

One American soldier was killed and four others were wounded on Friday during an operation in Somalia against al-Shabaab militants, U.S. authorities confirmed.

The U.S. soldiers were conducting a multi-day operation alongside 800 forces from the Somali National Security Forces and the Kenyan Defense Forces to liberate areas under the control of jihadists from the al-Shabaab group.

The combined force "came under mortar and small-arms fire at approximately 2:45 p.m. Mogadishu time, killing one U.S. service member and injuring four other U.S. service members and one partner force member," a statement from the U.S. Africa Command said.

The U.S. troops were there to provide advice, assistance and aerial surveillance, the statement explained.

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased soldier in a tweet.

Al-Shabaab is fighting to overthrow Somalia’s central government and establish its own rule based on its interpretation of Islamic law.

Since being pushed out of Mogadishu in 2011, the group has lost control of most of Somalia’s cities and towns, but it retains a strong presence in regions outside the capital.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Suspected jihadists kill 40 Tuaregs in Mali

At least 18 dead and 20 injured after twin car bomb attacks in Somalia's capital Mogadishu

Somalia: At least 15 dead and scores injured in suicide attack