MOGADISHU, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The United States military said it conducted an airstrike in Somalia on Saturday, killing eight al-Shabab terrorists.

The U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said the no civilian was killed in the latest drone strike which was carried out in coordination with Somali government in the vicinity of Gandarshe, about 48km southwest of Mogadishu.

"We currently assess this airstrike killed eight militants with no civilians involved," said the U.S. army in a statement.

"This airstrike was conducted in close coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia to degrade al-Shabab's freedom of movement and to increase pressure on the terrorist network," it added.

The U.S. army, which has been partnering with African Union peacekeeping troops and Somali forces, said it's committed to preventing al-Shabab from taking advantage of safe havens from which they can build capacity and attack the people of Somalia.

"In particular, the group uses portions of southern and central Somalia to plot and direct terror attacks, steal humanitarian aid, extort the local populace to fund its operations, and shelter radical terrorists," said Africom.

It said the American forces will use all effective and appropriate methods to protect the Somali people, including partnered military counter-terror operations with its local and international partners.

Somali and African Union peacekeeping forces have also intensified military operations against the insurgents, flushing them in their Lower and Middle Shabelle region bases as part of efforts to stabilize the Horn of Africa nation. Enditem

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