<p>An April 2 airstrike by US forces in Somalia killed a "senior leader" of the Al-Shabaab militant group, the US Defense Department said Tuesday.</p>.<p>The strike left three Shabaab militants dead, including Yusuf Jiis, a "foundational" leader of the jihadist organization, which has carried out deadly attacks against Somali government and public targets for years, the US Africa Command said in a statement.</p>.<p>Africa Command Commander General Stephen Townsend said Jiis was a "key leader" in Al-Shabaab.</p>.<p>"He was violent, ruthless, and responsible for the loss of many innocent lives," Townsend said in a statement.</p>.<p>Africa Command said the strike took place near Bush Madina, 135 miles (217 kilometers) west of Mogadishu, and was carried out in coordination with the Somali government.</p>.<p>It was one of several recent strikes on the group, often precision missiles launched by drones.</p>.<p>Another strike against Al-Shabaab was carried out on Monday in the Jilib area of Somalia, which US forces said killed five jihadists.</p>.<p>Africa Command said it was investigating reports of civilian deaths and injuries although it expressed confidence that there weren't any.</p>.<p>Townsend said there would be no letup in the US campaign against Al-Shabaab during the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>"Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa, and its long-term stability is important to advancing comprehensive US interests in the region," Africa Command said.</p>
<p>An April 2 airstrike by US forces in Somalia killed a "senior leader" of the Al-Shabaab militant group, the US Defense Department said Tuesday.</p>.<p>The strike left three Shabaab militants dead, including Yusuf Jiis, a "foundational" leader of the jihadist organization, which has carried out deadly attacks against Somali government and public targets for years, the US Africa Command said in a statement.</p>.<p>Africa Command Commander General Stephen Townsend said Jiis was a "key leader" in Al-Shabaab.</p>.<p>"He was violent, ruthless, and responsible for the loss of many innocent lives," Townsend said in a statement.</p>.<p>Africa Command said the strike took place near Bush Madina, 135 miles (217 kilometers) west of Mogadishu, and was carried out in coordination with the Somali government.</p>.<p>It was one of several recent strikes on the group, often precision missiles launched by drones.</p>.<p>Another strike against Al-Shabaab was carried out on Monday in the Jilib area of Somalia, which US forces said killed five jihadists.</p>.<p>Africa Command said it was investigating reports of civilian deaths and injuries although it expressed confidence that there weren't any.</p>.<p>Townsend said there would be no letup in the US campaign against Al-Shabaab during the coronavirus pandemic.</p>.<p>"Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa, and its long-term stability is important to advancing comprehensive US interests in the region," Africa Command said.</p>