Al Qaida remains in control of villages in southern Somalia. One of the
Al Qaida commanders in the area, and believed to be the target of the
attack, was identified as Hassan Turki.
"As we have repeatedly said, we will continue to pursue terrorist
activities and their operations wherever we may find them," Defense
Department spokesman Bryan Whitman, who did not elaborate, said on Monday.
This was the first known U.S. air strike against Al Qaida in Somalia
since January 2007. The Pentagon has sought to prevent the resurgence of the
Al Qaida-aligned Islamic Courts Union, whose regime was toppled by Ethiopia
in 2006.
At least three missiles were said to have been fired at a house in
Dhoobley. Reports from Somalia said the house was destroyed and at least
four people were killed.
Whitman said the U.S. military has been operating in Somalia. He said
Washington was working closely in military operations with whom he termed
regional partners.
"We share common goals with respect to fighting terrorism," Whitman
said. "We will continue to seek out, identify, capture and, if necessary,
kill terrorists where they plan their activities, carry out their operations
or seek safe harbor."
