US Airstrike in Somalia Targets Senior Al-Shabab Leader

FILE - Suspected Al-Shabab militants captured during Thursday's attack on African Union base are seen in Mogadishu, Somalia, December 2014.

The United States has carried out an airstrike against what the Pentagon calls a senior al-Shabab leader in Somalia.

A U.S. military spokesman said Monday's attack was near Saakow.

It is not yet known if the airstrike hit its target. But the U.S. spokesman said officials do not believe there are any civilian casualties.

In September, another U.S. airstrike in Somalia killed al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane.

The al-Qaida affiliated al-Shabab is trying to overthrow the Somali government and turn the country into a conservative Islamic state.

Somali and African Union troops have had success in turning back the militants over the past year.