US airstrike kills 26 al-Shabab fighters in central Somalia

MOGADISHU, March 1 -- The United States military said on Friday evening that it conducted an airstrike in central Somalia on Thursday, killing 26 al-Shabab terrorists.

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said no civilians were injured or killed in the airstrike, which occurred around Hiran region.

"This airstrike is one element of a larger strategy to support the Somali National Army as it increases pressure on the terrorist network and its recruiting efforts in the region," AFRICOM said in a statement.

The latest strike came a few hours after the al-Shabab carried out a deadly attack on Hotel Makkah Al-Mukaramah in Mogadishu, killing at least 36 people and injuring more than 60 others.

The US military has stepped up air raids against al-Shabab, which is trying to overthrow the internationally-backed Somali government.

Al-Shabab controls large parts of southern and central Somalia and continues to carry out high-profile attacks in Mogadishu and elsewhere.