The US military attacked al Shabaab militants in Somalia, according to the Pentagon.  It comes after al Shabaab carried out a car bombing in the capital Mogadishu, and Somali government forces retook control of a prison that had come under attack by the terrorist group.

“We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate,” Rear Admiral John Kirby said.

Somali troops, backed by 22,000 African Union (AU) forces, have made huge gins in retaking control of country and are winning the struggle for power.  The al Shabaab attacks are an attempt to break that winning streak.

Al Shabaab is fighting to topple Somalia’s internationally-backed government, and regularly launch attacks against state targets as well as in neighbors like Kenya that back the AU force.