U.S. air strike targets al-Shabab leader

The United States has launched an air strike targeting a senior leader of Somalia’s al-Shabab group, the Pentagon has said. The U.S. Defence Department did not identify the leader or say whether the strike, which took place in the vicinity of Saacow, Somalia, was successful. Al-Shabab fighters are fighting to overthrow the Somali government, regularly launching attacks against state targets and in neighbouring countries that contribute to an African Union force operating in the country, in attempts to impose its own strict version of Islamic law in the country.

At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties.

Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement

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