Pentagon says hit al-Shabab from air

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The U.S. military said it has carried out an airstrike against al-Shabab in Somalia as President Donald Trump’s administration quietly steps up efforts against the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Audricia Harris said the strike occurred Sunday afternoon Somalia time and that the U.S. was assessing the results.

She did not call it a drone strike. Somali officials have said the U.S. has carried out several drone strikes in recent years against the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab.

The airstrike follows one in June that the U.S. said killed eight Islamic extremists at a rebel command and logistics camp in the country’s south.

Trump has approved expanded military operations against al-Shabab, including more aggressive airstrikes and considering parts of southern Somalia areas of active hostilities. The U.S. in April announced it was sending dozens of regular troops to Somalia in the largest such deployment there in roughly two decades, saying it was for logistics training of Somalia’s army.