The US military said Monday it has killed 62 terrorists from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-15-dead-10-wounded-after-shabaab-militants-attacked-a-sufi-religious-centre-in-somali-179523">jihadist Shabaab movement</a> in six air strikes in Somalia.

Four strikes on Saturday killed 34 terrorists and another two on Sunday killed 28, the US Africa Command said in a statement.

The air attacks, in a coastal region south of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, were the deadliest in the country since November last year when the US said it had killed 100 militants.

The strikes were conducted with "our Somali partners to prevent terrorists from using remote areas as safe havens to plot, direct, inspire and recruit for future attacks," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said, noting that no civilians had been killed or injured.&nbsp;

The action brings to 45 the number of strikes the Pentagon has conducted against Shabaab so far in 2018, Manning said.

Last year, the figure was 35. Manning attributed the increase to operations becoming more "efficient."

"We're getting better. And because we're getting better we're able to ... find, fix and eliminate those terrorist organizations," Manning said.

The surge in US operations in Somalia came after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/standoff-over-trump-wall-leaves-us-govt-5-days-away-from-shutdown-184833">President Donald Trump</a> in March 2017 loosened the constraints on the US military to take actions against alleged terrorists when they judge it is needed, without seeking specific White House approval.

American forces are partnering with African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali national security forces in counterterrorism operations, and have conducted frequent raids and drone strikes on Shabaab training camps throughout Somalia.

As of August, the Pentagon assesses there to be between 3,000 and 7,000 Shabaab fighters and 70 to 250 Islamic State Somalia fighters in the Horn of Africa nation.

The US military said Monday it has killed 62 terrorists from the jihadist Shabaab movement in six air strikes in Somalia. Four strikes on Saturday killed 34 terrorists and another two on Sunday killed 28, the US Africa Command said in a statement.

The US military said Monday it has killed 62 terrorists from the jihadist Shabaab movement in six air strikes in Somalia. Four strikes on Saturday killed 34 terrorists and another two on Sunday killed 28, the US Africa Command said in a statement. The air attacks, in a coastal region south of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, were the deadliest in the country since November last year when the US said it had killed 100 militants. The strikes were conducted with "our Somali partners to prevent terrorists from using remote areas as safe havens to plot, direct, inspire and recruit for future attacks," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said, noting that no civilians had been killed or injured. The action brings to 45 the number of strikes the Pentagon has conducted against Shabaab so far in 2018, Manning said. Last year, the figure was 35. Manning attributed the increase to operations becoming more "efficient." "We're getting better. And because we're getting better we're able to ... find, fix and eliminate those terrorist organizations," Manning said. The surge in US operations in Somalia came after President Donald Trump in March 2017 loosened the constraints on the US military to take actions against alleged terrorists when they judge it is needed, without seeking specific White House approval. American forces are partnering with African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and Somali national security forces in counterterrorism operations, and have conducted frequent raids and drone strikes on Shabaab training camps throughout Somalia. As of August, the Pentagon assesses there to be between 3,000 and 7,000 Shabaab fighters and 70 to 250 Islamic State Somalia fighters in the Horn of Africa nation.

Air strikes kill 62 Shabaab terrorists in Somalia: US military

At least 15 people were killed and ten others wounded in the central Somalia town of Galkayo on Monday when Shabaab militants attacked a Sufi religious centre, officials said.

The attack on the residential compound and shrine, home to a controversial Sufi cleric and his followers, took place early Monday while residents were still asleep.

"The attackers used a vehicle loaded with explosives to make their way into the compound before shooting indiscriminately at people inside," said Abdirahman Mohamed, a security officer, adding that 15 people had been killed and 10 wounded.

"The targeted cleric was killed in the attack together with some of his followers," Mohamed said.

Qoje Ahmed, another security official, said security forces had battled the attackers, who included four gunmen and a suicide bomber. He said one had been captured alive.

"The blast was very huge," said witness Jamila Farah. "It destroyed most&nbsp; 
buildings in the compound." Somalia's Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Shabaab, claimed responsibility for the attack saying it had targeted the cleric, Abdiweli Ali Elmi, alleging that he "had claimed to be a prophet".

The group is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu and to impose an austere from of Islamic rule.

It regularly carries out bloody bombings and assaults against government, military and civilian targets.

Elmi was a controversial Sufi leader who had set up his own breakaway sect in Galkayo, attracting hundreds of followers who would play music and sing songs in praise of the Prophet Mohamed, a form or worship abhorred by the Shabaab.

At least 15 people were killed and ten others wounded in the central Somalia town of Galkayo on Monday when Shabaab militants attacked a Sufi religious centre, officials said.

At least 15 people were killed and ten others wounded in the central Somalia town of Galkayo on Monday when Shabaab militants attacked a Sufi religious centre, officials said. The attack on the residential compound and shrine, home to a controversial Sufi cleric and his followers, took place early Monday while residents were still asleep. "The attackers used a vehicle loaded with explosives to make their way into the compound before shooting indiscriminately at people inside," said Abdirahman Mohamed, a security officer, adding that 15 people had been killed and 10 wounded. "The targeted cleric was killed in the attack together with some of his followers," Mohamed said. Qoje Ahmed, another security official, said security forces had battled the attackers, who included four gunmen and a suicide bomber. He said one had been captured alive. "The blast was very huge," said witness Jamila Farah. "It destroyed most buildings in the compound." Somalia's Al-Qaeda affiliate, the Shabaab, claimed responsibility for the attack saying it had targeted the cleric, Abdiweli Ali Elmi, alleging that he "had claimed to be a prophet". The group is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu and to impose an austere from of Islamic rule. It regularly carries out bloody bombings and assaults against government, military and civilian targets. Elmi was a controversial Sufi leader who had set up his own breakaway sect in Galkayo, attracting hundreds of followers who would play music and sing songs in praise of the Prophet Mohamed, a form or worship abhorred by the Shabaab.

Video: At least 15 dead, 10 wounded after Shabaab militants attacked Sufi religious centre in Somalia

shabaab-militants

Shabaab Militants, News on Shabaab Militants, stories on Shabaab Militants, articles on Shabaab Militants, Shabaab Militants stories at Wion, Shabaab Militants news, Shabaab Militants latest news

shabaab militants

Air strikes kill 62 Shabaab terrorists in Somalia: US military

Video: At least 15 dead, 10 wounded after Shabaab militants attacked Sufi religious centre in Somalia