A US airstrike in Somalia has killed five al-Shabaab militants, officials said Thursday.

The “collective self-defense” airstrike was carried out at the request of the Somali federal government in a remote area about 15 kilometers south of Galkad. according to In response to the U.S. Africa Command statement. The action was taken in support of the Somali National Army, which was “at war” with the terrorist organization al-Shabaab. No civilians were injured or killed during the operation, according to a statement.

Al-Shabaab is the largest and “one of the most dynamic al-Qaeda networks in the world, demonstrating both its willingness and ability to attack partners and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests,” the statement said. President Joe Biden will allow the Pentagon to send fewer than 500 U.S. troops to Somalia in 2022 to fight terrorist groups, CNN reports. report.

At the request of the Somali federal government, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al-Shabaab terrorists in a remote area near Hariri Kalle, about 15 kilometers south of Galkad, Somalia. https://t.co/6I3gzuHxKI

— US Africa Command (@USAfricaCommand) July 20, 2023

“Unfortunately, we have seen clear evidence that al-Shabaab has the intent and ability to target Americans,” a senior government official said in 2022, according to CNN. That same year, Somalia declared “all-out war” against al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab is reportedly seeking to establish an Islamist government and impose basic laws on African nations.

In December 2022, US-Africa Command killed 17 al-Shabaab members in an offensive in remote Somalia, about 300 kilometers from the capital Mogadishu. (Related: Terrorist organization bans major social media platforms, restricts connections with outside world)

Al-Shabaab is said to be responsible for “most serious human rights violations, particularly targeted killings, including terrorist attacks against civilians and extrajudicial, religiously and politically motivated killings.” disappearance. Cruel and unusual punishment. rapes; and attacks against non-governmental organizations and UN personnel. ” according to The US State Department has designated the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. 2008.