US airstrike targets Shabaab militants in Somalia: Pentagon

The U.S. military carried out a strike in Somalia against the al-Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militant group on July 4, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, the second attack on the group in the last few days.

The strike occurred about 300 miles (480 km) southwest of the Somali capital Mogadishu, the Pentagon said. It did not disclose additional information such as the number of terrorists killed.

"Working from actionable intelligence, the Department of Defense conducted a successful collective self-defense strike operation against an al-Shabaab troop concentration," the military's Africa Command Africom said in a statement.

"Specific details about the units involved and assets used will not be released in order to ensure operational security."

It was the third U.S. strike on Shabaab militants since President Donald Trump authorized the Pentagon in March to take counter-terrorism actions -- whether airstrikes or ground raids -- when it deems them necessary to support the Somali government.

Wednesday's strike follows a July 2 attack on Shabaab militants and a June 11 raid of a training center.

It was within the Pentagon's "parameters of authority to engage in collective self-defense of our Somali partners," Pentagon spokesman Navy Captain Jeff Davis said.

Before Trump broadened the Pentagon's authorities, U.S. military actions in the eastern African country each required high-level review by different agencies.

U.S. special forces have been deployed in Somalia for years. There are currently about 50 U.S. troops there.

Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda linked group, has been fighting since 2007 to overthrow the internationally backed government in Somalia.