U.S Ambassador Condoles for the Death of U.S Navy SEAL in Somalia

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U.S Ambassador Condoles for the Death of U.S Navy SEAL in Somalia

NAIROBI (WAAGACUSUB)

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NAIROBI (WAAGACUSUB) The U.S Ambassador to Somalia Stephen Schwartz has expressed his heartfelt condolences following the death of U.S Navy SEAL soldier killed in Somalia during a counter-terror operation in Daru-salam village, about 64km west of Mogadishu on Thursday.

In a statement to Somali newsrooms on Saturday, Ambassador Schwartz said the service member died heroically supporting an operation against the al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab that has terrorized the people of Somalia and East Africa for many years and threatened American interests.

"On behalf of the U.S. Mission to Somalia, I extend heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the United States military service member killed in Somalia on May 5.” The ambassador who is currently based in Nairobi, Kenya said.

"This tragedy is a testament to the commitment and sacrifice of the U.S. military colleagues who work closely with their Somali and other African counterparts every day to end the destruction inflicted upon the Somali people by al-Shabaab.” The ambassador added.

The American diplomat reiterated the United States strong relationship with the government and people of Somalia as he looked forward to deepening the partnership between the two countries to restore peace and prosperity in the country.

On Thursday, the U.S Africa Command (Africom) confirmed in a statement that a U.S Soldier killed and two others wounded during an operation in which the U.S soldiers and Somali forces attempted to capture or kill senior Al-Shabab commander.

"The U.S service member was killed Thursday during the operation near Barii, about 40 miles (64km) west of the capital, Mogadishu.” Africom said in the statement.

The area is in Lower Shabelle region where the militant group is actively launching attacks.

The Africom statement said the U.S Special forces, currently operating in Somalia, following the new orders of President Donald Trump, were conducting an advise-and-assist mission with Somalia's military.

A Somali military official in Mogadishu told Somaliupdate Online that a joint forces of U.S and Somalia’s elite forces of Gaashaan were on operation to purse Al-Shabab militant commanders when the army who used a military helicopter landed the ground and were ambushed by the militant fighters on Thursday.

At least six Al-Shabab fighters were killed during the operation, according to the Somali military official.