Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked militant group, Al-Shabaab, has claimed responsibility for an attack targeting US forces stationed at the airport in the southern coastal town of Kismayo, in what it described as retaliation for American support for Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza.
U.S. forces and African partner forces were targeted by indirect fire in the vicinity of Kismayo, Somalia on Sept. 4.
In a statement released on Thursday, the group said it launched the assault on US military personnel and installations, allegedly causing significant casualties and destroying several military vehicles. However, Al-Shabaab did not provide specific details about the nature of the attack or the number of casualties.
The United States Africa Command (Africom), in a brief statement, confirmed that its forces had come under indirect fire near Kismayo, but reported no injuries or damage.
“US and African partner forces took indirect fire near Kismayo, Somalia, today. No US injuries or casualties were reported. There is no indication of damage to the base or coalition property at this time,” the command said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident marks the latest in a series of attacks by Al-Shabaab targeting US military positions in Somalia. In recent years, the group has launched multiple assaults on the US drone base in Baledogle, located in the Lower Shabelle region, using both indirect fire and ground assaults.
In 2020, Al-Shabaab carried out a complex and deadly attack on a joint US-Kenyan military base in Manda Bay, Kenya, killing three Americans and destroying a number of aircraft.
Al-Shabaab routinely disseminates false and exaggerated claims regarding attacks to undermine public trust. These claims should be treated with skepticism.
AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.
The US maintains a military presence in Somalia, primarily to support local forces in counterterrorism operations. American troops train elite Somali special forces, and the US military also conducts frequent drone strikes against Al-Shabaab operatives, providing aerial surveillance and combat support to Somali and African Union peacekeepers.
Al-Shabaab has been fighting to overthrow the internationally recognised Somali government for over 15 years, seeking to impose Islamic law across the country.
