25-04-2024 01:45 AM Jerusalem Timing

US Says ’More than 150’ Shebab Militants Killed in Drone Strike in Somalia

US Says ’More than 150’ Shebab Militants Killed in Drone Strike in Somalia

A US drone strike on a Shebab training camp in Somalia over the weekend killed more than 150 militants fighters who were planning a "large-scale" attack.

Somalia securityA US drone strike on a Shebab training camp in Somalia over the weekend killed more than 150 militants fighters who were planning a "large-scale" attack, the Pentagon said Monday.

Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said the strike occurred sometime Saturday (US time) on a camp called Raso, about 120 miles (195 kilometers) north of Mogadishu.

"Initial assessments are that more than 150 terrorist fighters were eliminated," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.

Davis said the group had neared the completion of specialist training to conduct "offensive operations," but he did not give any details about the assault the Shebab group was allegedly planning.

"Their removal will degrade al-Shebab's ability to meet the group's objectives in Somalia, which includes recruiting new members, establishing bases and planning attacks on US and AMISON (African Union Mission to Somalia) forces there," he said.

Al-Qaeda aligned Shebab terrorists have claimed responsibility for a string of recent attacks including a twin bombing at a busy restaurant in the Somali city of Baidoa last month.