US airstrikes in Somalia hit al-Shabaab

A Pentagon spokesperson says the US conducted airstrikes on Monday and Tuesday in Somalia that killed an estimated 12 militants affiliated with the al-Shabaab Islamic extremist group.
The spokesperson, Navy Captain Jeff Davis, said the targeted militants posed an imminent threat to US personnel who were assisting Somali government forces north of the city of Kismayo in
southern Somalia.
These were the latest in a series of US attacks in Somalia aimed at al-Shabaab, which has ties to al-Qaeda.
Al-Shabaab has been carrying out a campaign of deadly violence targeting government officials and international troops, as well as hotels and restaurants in the capital.