The US and Somalia have committed an air strike against Islamist fighters during a battle to control a strategic central city, the government says.
Adan Yabaal's “well-coordinated” strike, north of the Mogadishu capital, came hours after Al-Shabab attacked the city, which was used as a key start for military operations.
Among the 12 fighters killed in the air strike were several senior fighters from the al-Qaeda group, the Somali Ministry of Information said in a statement of xS
Recent fighting appeared against the backdrop of fears of the resumption of jihadists in Somalia after increasing belligerent attacks, including one who headed for the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Moich Mohamud last month.
Al Shabab, who has controlled large parts of southern and central Somalia, has been fighting the government for nearly 20 years. He strives to overthrow the federal government and create an Islamist state.
The peacekeeping forces led by the African Union helped to push the jihadists in the defense in 2022 and 2023, but the group remains a big threat, despite numerous military operations against it.
The Somali government insists that the group is weakened.
Aviation strike late on Wednesday by Somali Armed Forces and the US Command in Africom “aims to neutralize the threat” of fighters, the Ministry of Information said.
“The target stroke hit an object used by the fighters as a collection and hiding place,” he said in it, adding, “It is important that there are no civil casualties.”
Adan Yabaal, in the Middle Shabel region, was seized by Al Shabab in 2016 before being seized by government forces in 2022.
The heavy battles broke out early Wednesday after Al Shabab's fighters attacked the city using heavy explosives.
Later, the group said it had captured the city. Two locals told the AFP news agency that the fighters had taken control of Adan Yabaal.
The government did not say who currently controls the city.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited the city last month and met with military commanders, emphasizing his strategic importance in the fight against fighters.
In a separate incident, the National Army said it killed at least 35 fighters near the city of Bidoa on Thursday after trying to attack an army base there, the ministry said.
President Mohamud downplayed Al Shabab's progress, saying that accidental failures on the battlefield were inevitable. He maintained that his government was decided to beat the fighters.