WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Speaking off the record, US Officials said the drone strikes were meant to aid African Union ground forces in response to intelligence suggesting that al-Shabaab was amassing militants in preparation for an attack on a military base used by Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Djibouti.
Al-Shabaab fighters display weapons as they conduct military exercises in northern Mogadishu, Somalia
© AP Photo / Mohamed Sheikh Nor
The United States has carried out drone strikes for several years against high value al-Shabaab targets in the past, but the drone strikes in support of African Union group troops is a first.
Somalia fell into civil war and warlordism after the ouster of former dictator Siad Barre in 1991.
The United States has backed the fledging Somali government restore stability and defeat al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate.
