On March 10, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) carried out a targeted airstrike in southern Somalia, which led to the elimination of three al-Shabab militants. 

The strike took place near Ugunji, in the Lower Shabelle region, approximately 71 kilometers (44 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. AFRICOM’s preliminary assessments indicate that the airstrike did not result in civilian casualties. This latest operation is part of a broader campaign by the U.S. military against al-Shabab, being the sixth airstrike in Somalia for the current year, following 18 similar actions in 2023.

While AFRICOM’s statement did not specify the ranks of the al-Shabab militants targeted, it is known that U.S. military efforts in the region aim at disrupting both the group’s leadership and its foot soldiers. The U.S. has been a consistent partner to Somalia in its fight against al-Shabab, providing critical support through airstrikes and intelligence sharing.

In a related development, Somali government forces recently withdrew from Ba’adweyne and Amara, two towns in the central Galmudug state that had been recaptured from al-Shabab late last year. Following the retreat, al-Shabab claimed their fighters had reentered both towns, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by Somali and allied forces in securing and maintaining control over contested areas.