US Drone Strikes Against Al-Shabaab Support African Union Ground Forces

The United States carried out at least six drone strikes in the past week against al-Shabaab in Somalia in support of African Union troops seeking to dislodge the terrorist group from Baraawe, the Los Angeles Times reported on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Speaking off the record, US Officials said the drone strikes were meant to aid African Union ground forces in response to intelligence suggesting that al-Shabaab was amassing militants in preparation for an attack on a military base used by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia

© AP Photo / Mohamed Sheikh Nor

The United States has carried out drone strikes for several years against high value al-Shabaab targets in the past, but the drone strikes in support of African Union group troops is a first.

Somalia fell into civil war and warlordism after the ouster of former dictator Siad Barre in 1991.

The United States has backed the fledging Somali government restore stability and defeat al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate.