MOGADISHU: The US military said on Thursday it has killed seven Al-Shabab fighters in a series of airstrikes in Somalia as the administration of President Donald Trump steps up efforts against the deadliest extremist group in Africa.
A statement from the US African Command said the three airstrikes were carried out on Wednesday and Thursday in Jilib, about 320 km southwest of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The airstrikes were carried out with Somali forces, the statement said.
The US military has carried out several airstrikes against fighters with the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabab in Somalia since President Trump early this year approved expanded military operations against the group, including more aggressive airstrikes and considering parts of southern Somalia areas of active hostilities.
The US and Somalia have said strikes in recent weeks have killed Al-Shabab leaders responsible for planning and executing deadly attacks in Mogadishu.
On Aug. 10, the US military announced two new airstrikes against Al-Shabab extremists and Somalia’s president said the joint operation killed a high-level leader of the group.
On Aug. 4, the US military confirmed that Al-Shabab commander Ali Mohammed Hussein had been killed in an airstrike in southern Somalia. Also known as Ali Jabal, he had been blamed for a number of deadly attacks in Mogadishu and was the highest-level Al-Shabab commander killed this year.
The Somalia-based Al-Shabab often targets Mogadishu with deadly bombings in high-profile areas such as hotels and military checkpoints.
The extremist group aims to destabilize the federal government that is trying to recover after a quarter-century of conflict.
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US airstrikes kill 7 Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia
US airstrikes kill 7 Al-Shabab fighters in Somalia
Taiwan police rule out ‘terrorism’ in metro stabbing
- Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out “terrorism” in a metro stabbing in the capital Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11
TAIPEI: Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out “terrorism” in a metro stabbing in the capital Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11.
A 27-year-old man, identified by police by his family name Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launching into a three hour stabbing spree.
The attacker then moved to a shopping district near Zhongshan station, authorities said.
“Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism,” a senior Taipei City Police Department official told AFP, under the condition of anonymity.
“Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition,” he added.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the suspect was found dead the same day, after jumping off a nearby building.
The senior police official said investigators also found searches for “random killings” on Chang’s iPad, including material related to a Taipei metro stabbing in 2014 when a man killed four people.
Chang had served in the military but was discharged over driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police, who said he was wanted after he failed to report for reserve military training.
Taiwan requires former soldiers to undergo seven to 14 days of reserve training within eight years of discharge. Failure to report is treated as evasion of military service.
In the immediate aftermath of the Friday stabbing, officials called the attack “deliberate” but said the motive was not clear.
Police said they believe Chang had acted alone and planned to “randomly kill people.” He rented an apartment in the district in January and scouted the area in advance.
The city doubled its police deployment for the Taipei Marathon on Sunday and is expected to conduct a “high-intensity” drill at metro stations ahead of New Year’s Eve, the mayor said.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday that authorities should be “more cautious and proactive” and improve emergency protocols.
Lai said the police must be “trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations” to protect citizens.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station on Saturday, which will remain closed for three days in honor of the victims.
A 27-year-old man, identified by police by his family name Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launching into a three hour stabbing spree.
The attacker then moved to a shopping district near Zhongshan station, authorities said.
“Based on what we have established so far in the investigation, the suspect Chang did not make or display any statements or views related to politics, religion, or any specific ideology, and we have preliminarily ruled out terrorism,” a senior Taipei City Police Department official told AFP, under the condition of anonymity.
“Terrorist attacks have a specific definition and the suspect does not meet that definition,” he added.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the suspect was found dead the same day, after jumping off a nearby building.
The senior police official said investigators also found searches for “random killings” on Chang’s iPad, including material related to a Taipei metro stabbing in 2014 when a man killed four people.
Chang had served in the military but was discharged over driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police, who said he was wanted after he failed to report for reserve military training.
Taiwan requires former soldiers to undergo seven to 14 days of reserve training within eight years of discharge. Failure to report is treated as evasion of military service.
In the immediate aftermath of the Friday stabbing, officials called the attack “deliberate” but said the motive was not clear.
Police said they believe Chang had acted alone and planned to “randomly kill people.” He rented an apartment in the district in January and scouted the area in advance.
The city doubled its police deployment for the Taipei Marathon on Sunday and is expected to conduct a “high-intensity” drill at metro stations ahead of New Year’s Eve, the mayor said.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday that authorities should be “more cautious and proactive” and improve emergency protocols.
Lai said the police must be “trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations” to protect citizens.
Metro Taipei announced that it had shut down a Christmas market near Zhongshan station on Saturday, which will remain closed for three days in honor of the victims.
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