Somali militants seize crashed ‘US’ drone in south-western Somalia

MOGADISHU —The Al-Qaeda linked Al Shabab group in Somalia claimed that its fighters seized a US drone with missiles which crashed in a rebel-held village in south-western Somalia Monday.

US military often fly the unmanned drones over Somalia’s airspace as part of its fight against Islamist militants fighting Somali government and the African Union forces.

Pro-Al-Shabab media reported that the drone which they said had six missiles attached to it had crashed in Shanda’ar, a village 70km north of Bardhere town, the regional capital of Gedo region.

The US government hasn’t yet confirmed militants’ claims; however, Al Shabab has earlier displayed the photos of a US drone which crashed in Somalia in June last year.

The small-sized surveillance drones are vital machine helping the US on its covert anti-terror campaign against militants in Somalia.

US drones have killed several senior Al Shabab leaders, including the group’s spiritual leader Ahmed Abdi Godane.