US Launches Airstrike against Somali Al-Shabab

Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. (AP)
Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. (AP)
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US Launches Airstrike against Somali Al-Shabab

Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. (AP)
Soldiers patrol outside the Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia. (AP)

The US military announced an unspecified number of casualties following an airstrike against the extremist al-Shabab group.

The raid took place as the director of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency made an unannounced trip tp Washington.

The United States military confirmed the new airstrike against al-Shabab.

The strike took place in Jilib town on Saturday in collaboration with the Somali federal government, according to a statement by the US Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, on Monday.

"The command's initial assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed," the statement said.

Avoiding civilian casualties remains a priority for the US military, it added.

The Somali National News Agency reported on Tuesday that the Somali army, in cooperation with international partners, carried out a military operation in Jilib leading to several casualties among al-Shabab and the destruction of their military equipment.

Meanwhile, Mahad Salad, director of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency, made an unannounced visit to the US where he met officials from the Pentagon, CIA, and FBI to discuss security cooperation and combatting terrorism, revealed cabinet sources.

The state news agency reported that the Somali army continues to conduct military operations in cooperation with the popular resistance to defeated the al-Shabab group. These operations have led to the liberation of more than 80 cities and regions across the country.

Meanwhile, four Somali government soldiers were killed Monday in a roadside explosion in Mogadishu's Daynile district, the Ministry of Defense said.

The al-Shabab group claimed responsibility for the attack.

Brigadier General Abdullahi Ali Anod, the ministry's spokesperson, said three soldiers and an officer were killed.

This comes after a rare appearance of al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Omar Abu Ubaidah during the “Jihad in East Africa Conference”, which was attended by more than a hundred of the group’s leaders.

Al-Shabab media broadcast footage of the group leader during the eight-day conference.

Al-Shabab named Abu Ubaidah as the successor to Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a US strike in September 2014.

The US is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information on Abu Ubaidah. The US Department of State designated him as a global terrorist in April 2015.



Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
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Israel Expands Drone Use in Southern Lebanon to Intercept Civilians

An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)
An armed Israeli drone flies over villages in southern Lebanon in July (Hezbollah Media)

Israeli drones are now being used for more than just tracking and targeting fighters in southern Lebanon. They’re also setting fires to forests, intimidating residents, and stopping cars at night to broadcast messages through loudspeakers.

Recent reports and social media videos show these new uses. In one troubling incident, an Israeli drone blocked a civilian in his car in the border town of Khallwat in the Hasbaya district, holding him for several minutes.

Local TV channel Al-Jadeed reported that an Israeli drone briefly held a civilian in his car and shone bright lights on him. The man was able to leave safely.

Other reports say the drone stopped the man early in the morning on his way home, using strong green lights that caused him pain.

The type of light used by the Israeli drone is not clear, but experts believe it’s not a laser.

Instead, it was likely a spotlight used to help the drone’s camera scan the driver’s face and collect information. This process involves a camera that captures the image and sends it to a computer where AI can identify the person quickly.

Experts tell Asharq Al-Awsat that Israel’s advanced technology means the bright light could be used for intimidation, to confirm the person’s identity, or to analyze body shape data.

They agree that the situation is concerning.

In another incident, a new video showed an Israeli drone dropping burning materials on forests near borders in Lebanon’s town of Adaisseh. The footage shows the drone releasing the substance, which started a fire.

Israeli drones with loudspeakers have been also flying over border villages, warning residents and broadcasting messages. Locals say the drones not only relay army statements but also insult Hezbollah and incite against the group.

This has been happening in multiple villages over the past month.

Moreover, Israeli warplanes have been striking the outskirts of Zibkin, Naqoura, and Wadi Hamoul, causing severe damage to property, crops, and forests.

The Israeli military also shelled the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab and hit areas around Naqoura and Alma al-Shaab with artillery fire.