Mogadishu(SONNA)-The Federal Government of Somalia, in partnership with the United States
Africa Command (AFRICOM), conducted a collective self-defense strike against the al-Qaeda
affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab who engaged U.S. partner forces, Somali National Army
Danab and Jubaland Security Force, in the vicinity of Koban between Jammaame and Jilib Districts
Somalia.
An additional strike was conducted April 10 targeting Al-Shabaab terrorists in the vicinity of Jilib,
Somalia.It is assessed that the collective self-defense strike on April 9 killed ten (10) Al-Shabaab,
terrorists and that the April 10 airstrike killed one (1) Al-Shabaab terrorist.
The FGS and the US AFRICOM take significant measures to prevent civilian casualties in the fight
against the al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist puppet Al-Shabaab and investigate each reported allegation
thoroughly.At this time, no civilians are assessed to have been killed or injured in the attack.
The Federal Government of Somalia, the Somali National Army, Federal Member States, Danab
Commandos, and its United States partners are committed to fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists in order
to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians that include men, women, and children in Somalia and its
neighboring countries. The efforts we take to protect and safeguard civilians dramatically contrast
to the indiscriminate attacks that the cowards al-Shabaab regularly conducts against the civilian
populace of Somalia. The FGS, FMS, AMISOM, and the US AFRICOM partners will continue to
take these decisive actions until all of Somalia is liberated from the puppet al-Shabaab. The Somali
people support the FGS/FMS, the AMISOM union, and its US AFRICOM partners for their
collaboration and bravery for the betterment of all Somali. Al-Shabaab is the enemy of all Somalis,
and the people demand justice for their repeated atrocities against innocent Somali civilians. This
operation highlights that the FGS, FMS and their partners will never stop pursuing justice for the
people. As a unified nation we say to al-Shabaab today, their days in the city of heaven (Jilib) are
numbered.
The United States AFRICOM forces, in support of the Federal Government of Somalia and its
Member States, will continue to use all effective and appropriate methods to help provide safety for
the Somali people, including partnered military forces such as AMISOM and Somali Security
Forces. This strategic airstrike is in support of the FGS efforts to rid Somalia of the atrocities of alShabaab and provide a better future for the Somali people to create security conditions to enhance
governance and economic development.”