Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Over 30 casualties in a suicide bombing that targeted the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.
Iranian Shura Council recommends the closure of the Hormuz Strait and leaves the decision up to the Iranian National Security Council.
IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour: As time passes, the people's solidarity increases, which is a divine blessing
IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour: The Iranian Revolution Guard Corps' aerospace operations will not stop
Russian Foreign Ministry: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi must ensure that an objective report is presented at the special session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Russian Foreign Ministry: The UN Security Council must respond to the US attacks on Iran
Russian Foreign Ministry: We strongly condemn the US strikes on Iran, calling the decision irresponsible
Iranian Red Crescent: Three personnel martyred, 29 injured in Israeli aggression
IRGC: We have identified and monitored the departure points of the US aircraft that carried out the aggression
IRGC: America has neither the initiative nor the ability to escape the consequences of a powerful response

US strikes alleged al Shabaab Somalia site, destroys unspecified arms

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 May 2023 09:13
3 Min Read

US African Command claims that it destroyed "weapons and equipment unlawfully taken" by the group.

  • x
  • US strikes Al-Shabaab site in Somalia, destroys unspecified weapons
    Members of Somalia's Al-Qaeda linked al Shabaab militia parade after distributing relief to famine-stricken internally displaced people at Ala Yaasir camp at KM50 out of Mogadishu, Somalia, September 3, 2011. (Reuters)

The United States launched an airstrike on an al Shabaab site in Somalia on Saturday, which it claimed was used by the group to carry out an attack on an African Union military base in Bulo Marer on Friday.

US Africa Command said in a statement that the air raid "destroyed weapons and equipment unlawfully taken by al Shabaab fighters."

Media outlets pointed out that US AFRICOM failed to specify when, where, or what are the stolen weapons targeted, raising speculations over the nature of the operation.

"US Africa Command conducted an airstrike against militants in the vicinity" of Bulo Marer on Friday, in support of the Federal Government of Somalia and the AU force known as African Union Transition Mission ATMIS, the statement read.

Read more: Al Shabaab attacks AU base in Somalia

The military command added that according to its "initial assessment", no civilians were injured or killed. 

Related News

Somalia to replace ATMIS with 12,000-troop African force: Advisor

African Union mission in Somalia says it was attacked by al Shabaab

Ugandan troops were stationed in the Bulo Marer base when it was raided on Friday by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group.

In a statement on Friday, ATMIS said, "At around 5 a.m. today, ATMIS Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Buulo Mareer, approximately 120 km [75 miles] southwest of Mogadishu in Lower Shabelle region was attacked by al Shabaab militants using Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) and suicide bombers."

The soldiers were able to destroy the militants' weapons and force them to retreat with reinforcements from the ATMIS aviation unit and allies, the statement continued.

Al Shabaab has been waging an insurgency against the central government for more than a decade. It managed to be active in parts of Somalia and other countries of the Horn of Africa. Despite claiming readiness to negotiate earlier this year, the group continued to carry out attacks in different regions of the country.

The 20,000-strong ATMIS force - consisting of personnel from Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti - has amped up military operations against the terrorist organization over recent years.

Al Shabaab militants were driven out of the capital in 2011 by an African Union force, but the group still controls swathes of the countryside. It continues to launch deadly strikes on civilian and military targets, with popular hotels and restaurants frequently hit.

Last August, Somalian government forces and affiliated groups, in addition to ATMIS, launched a comprehensive offensive against al Shabaab.

The AU mission is planned to hand over its responsibilities to Somalia's security and armed forces by 2024.

  • ATMIS
  • Al-Shabaab
  • Somalia
  • AU
  • African Union

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • Today

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani addresses a United Nations Security Council meeting, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran demands urgent UN Security Council session over US airstrikes

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, testifies before a hearing April 18, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US & Canada

Trump aides pushed war on Iran with Mossad-fed intel, ignoring dissent

This photo released on Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)
Politics

Iran: Minor damage to nuclear sites after US attack, no radiation

The U.S. Capitol, on June 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Politics

US lawmakers condemn Trump’s strikes on Iran; MAGA base frustrated

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS