The U.S. Africa Command has carried out a self-defense airstrike in Hareeri Kalle, which is 15 kilometers south of Galcad, killing five Al-Shabaab militants.

In a statement issued by Africom, the operation was conducted at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia.

“At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a collective self-defense airstrike in a remote area near Hareeri Kalle, approximately 15 kilometers south of Galcad, Somalia against al-Shabaab terrorists,” reads the statement.

The airstrike was carried out in support of the Somali National Army, with measures taken to prevent civilian casualties.

“Working with the Somali National Army, U.S. Africa Command’s initial assessment is that the U.S. airstrike killed 5 al-Shabaab terrorists and that no civilians were injured or killed,” the statement added.

Moreover, on Wednesday, the Somali National Army, with support from US Africom forces, killed over 100 Al-Shabaab militants in a joint operations in Gel-Libaah and El-Quraa, located along the border of Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions.

“The Somali National Army Forces supported by US Africom conducted an offensive operation against Al-Shabaab at Gel-Libaah and El-Qurac located along the border of Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions. In the attack, over 100 militants were killed, their hideouts were destroyed, and weapons were seized,” the Somali Ministry of Information stated.

These airstrikes and operations in central Somalia are part of the efforts to finalize the first phase of the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab has yielded huge success in recent weeks, and the government forces, supported by international partners, killed over 200 Al-Shabaab militants in last week’s operations, as confirmed by General Abdullahi Ali, the Ministry of Defense Spokesman.