US drone kills five Somali civilians

At least five civilians have been killed and more than 22 others injured as a US drone fires missiles on areas in southern Somalia, Press TV reports.


The deadly attack took place on Saturday morning near the town of Dhobley.

Somali army spokesman Mahamed Faraah Dirie said the drone strikes are part of operations the country's military is involved in to target al-Shabab fighters.

The spokesman added that dozens of helicopters are carrying out operations against the militant group in various parts of southern Somalia.

The offensive comes as the Somali government has pledged to flush out the militants using whatever means it can get, the spokesman said.

Dirie did not confirm any civilian casualties in Saturday's strike.

Thousands of people are fleeing their homes in fear of further attacks.

A similar strike left 11 dead and wounded 27 others on Friday.

Somalia has been without a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

The Horn of African country has been paralyzed by violence between al-Shabab fighters and government troops that are backed by African Union forces.
PressTV