The United States has carried out hundreds of drone strikes in Somalia for years and such efforts have been reinforced under the Trump administration.
The United States carries out attacks to target extremist militants in the Horn of Africa country. The attacks are aimed to help to bolster Somalia’s U.N.-backed central government against al-Qaida-affiliated al Shabaab movement.
Abdiqadir Nur, an employee of telecoms firm Hormuud Telecom, and three others died while driving through Laanta Buuro village in the southwestern Lower Shabelle region, 45 km (28 miles) from the capital Mogadishu, relatives said.
“Nur and three others died on the spot. His brother Mahad Nur is totally burnt,” Nur’s cousin Abdullahi Ali said.
In an email to Reuters, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said it carried out the air strike on Monday and that three militants had died in the attack.
“We are aware of reports alleging civilian casualties resulting from this air strike…The U.S. Africa Command will review any information it has about the incident, including any relevant information provided by third parties,” it said.
Al Shabaab was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011, but retains a strong presence in southern and central parts of Somalia.
Recently Amnesty International declared that the United States airstrikes have killed or wounded almost two dozen civilians in Somalia. The report said 14 civilians were killed and eight injured in strikes.
