U.S. special operations member killed in Somalia

The United States military confirmed on Friday that a special operations member was killed on Thursday during an operation against Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia.

The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) which has in the past conducted counter-terrorism airstrikes against the militants in Somalia said the incident took place when the U.S. Special Forces were conducting an advise-and-assist mission alongside members of the Somali National Army.

"On May 4, one U.S. service member was killed during an operation against Al-Shabaab near Barii, Somalia, approximately 40 miles west of Mogadishu," Africom said in a statement.

It said Al-Shabaab presents a threat to Americans and American interests.

Africom said the U.S. forces are assisting partner forces to counter Al-Shabaab in Somalia to degrade the Al-Qaida affiliate's ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks throughout the region and in America.

The incident came after the White House approved a Pentagon request in March to conduct offensive operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

The U.S. soldiers in April joined the small number of U.S. special operations forces already there providing counter-terrorism support to local forces battling Al-Shabaab. Enditem