Al-Shebab Militants Launch An Attack On U.S. Special Forces In Somalia

Al-Shabaab militants in a passing-out parade in 2011. Photograph: Feisal Omar/Reuters

CNN: U.S. Special Forces in Somalia firefight

(CNN)U.S. Special Operations forces came under fire from Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia Thursday when a mission to help Ugandan troops turned into unexpected combat for the Americans.

The incident occurred west of Mogadishu, according to a U.S. military official familiar with reports from the scene. No U.S. troops were wounded in what quickly turned into a firefight.

Ugandan troops, who are in the country as part of African forces backing the Somali government, had been called in to clear an illegal checkpoint being run by Al-Shabaab, the al Qaeda affiliate in Somalia. The Ugandans came under fire from an estimated 20 militants, the official said.

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Update #1: US commandos clash with Shebab militants in Somalia: official (AFP)
Update #2: Al-Shabaab Militants Attack US Special Forces in Somalia (Sputnik)

WNU Editor: Al-Shabaab is claiming that they foiled a U.S. Special Forces raid .... Somalia’s Shabaab claims foiled US special forces raid (Geeska Afrika Online)