US forces carry out airstrike against extremists in Somalia

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The U.S. military's Africa command says its forces conducted an airstrike against Islamic extremists in Somalia last week, approximately 30 miles northwest of Kismayo, killing eight militants and destroying one vehicle.

In its statement released Monday, the U.S. Africa Command said that it assess no civilians were killed in the strike.

The statement said U.S. forces will continue to use "all authorized and appropriate measures" to protect U.S. citizens and to disable extremist threats. This includes partnering with the multinational African force in Somalia and the Somali National Security Forces to attack the extremist rebels of al-Shabab, their training camps, and their safe havens throughout Somalia and the East African region.

Al-Shabab is allied to al-Qaida and has been fighting for years to impose Shariah law in Somalia.