U.S. airstrike kills 13 militants in Somalia

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Protesters march and carry signs saying, “Out al Shabab” (left) and “Oh God, have mercy on the dead,” near the scene of October’s massive truck bomb attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. Associated Press/Photo by Farah Abdi Warsameh

U.S. airstrike kills 13 militants in Somalia

A U.S. airstrike over the weekend in Somalia killed 13 members of the al-Shabaab extremist group, the U.S. military reported Wednesday. The U.S. Africa Command confirmed in a statement the Christmas Eve airstrike took place in southern Somalia. “U.S. forces will continue to protect the United States, its partners and interests, and deny safe haven to terrorist groups,” the statement read. The United States this year executed 34 drone strikes during increased military action against the terror group. Al-Shabaab continues to carry out sporadic attacks throughout the country. Somali authorities blamed the group for an October truck bombing that killed 512 people.

Onize Ohikere

Onize is WORLD’s Africa reporter and deputy global desk chief. She is a World Journalism Institute graduate and earned a journalism degree from Minnesota State University–Moorhead. Onize resides in Abuja, Nigeria.

@onize_ohiks