One US soldier has been killed and two others have been injured outside a military base near the capital, Mogadishu, fighting the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab terrorists, the Pentagon has said.
The incident took place on Thursday near Barii, about 60 kilometers west Mogadishu, while the US forces were carrying out an “advise and assist” mission with Somalia’s military. This is the first time since 1993 that the US military has suffered fatalities in the African country.
“The service member was struck by small arms fire while conducting an advise and assist mission alongside members of the Somalia National Army. Two other US service members were wounded in the incident. They are both receiving proper medical attention. No further information about their conditions are available at this time,” the US Africa Command spokeswoman said in a statement.
“US forces are assisting partner forces to counter al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the al-Qaeda…