JOHANNESBURG—The U.S. military on Saturday said it had carried out its deadliest airstrike in Somalia in months, killing 52 Al Shabab extremists after a “large group” mounted an attack on Somali forces. Al Shabab via its Shahada news agency asserted that its attack on two Somali army bases killed at least 41 soldiers. Article Continued BelowRead more: Ethiopia readies ‘massive offensive’ on Al Shabab in Somalia Al Shabab extremists claim deadly attack on Nairobi hotel Kenyan police say 11 arrested after deadly hotel attack A Somali intelligence officer said Al Shabab had been amassing fighters for more than a week to launch a major attack against Somali and Kenyan forces in order to disrupt a planned offensive against the extremists. Al Shabab controls large parts of rural southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out high-profile suicide bombings and other attacks in the capital, Mogadishu, and elsewhere. The United States has dramatically stepped up airstrikes against Al Shabab in Somalia since President Donald Trump took office, carrying out at least 47 such strikes last year.

Source: thestar January 19, 2019 18:48 UTC