US forces conduct operation in Somalia: Pentagon

Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby speaks during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on August 29, 2014. AFP PHOTO | ALEX WONG

What you need to know:

  • The raid comes a day after the Al-Shabaab carried out a car bomb and gun attack against an intelligence headquarters in central Mogadishu.
  • The militants are fighting to topple Somalia's internationally-backed government.

WASHINGTON

US military forces carried out an operation against Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia on Monday, Pentagon press secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said.

"We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate," he added in a statement.

There were no further details on the operation.

The raid comes a day after Al-Shabaab carried out a car bomb and gun attack against an intelligence headquarters in central Mogadishu, leaving at least seven militants and five others dead.

Al-Shabaab militants have targeted key areas of the Somali government or the security forces in an apparent bid to discredit claims by the authorities, who are backed by the African Union's 22,000-strong Amisom force, that they are winning the war against the Islamist fighters.

The militants are fighting to topple Somalia's internationally backed government, and regularly launch attacks against state targets, as well as in neighbouring countries that contribute to the AU force.