A U.S. special operations member was killed Thursday fighting terror group Al Shabab -- Al Qaeda's third-largest affiliate -- in Somalia, U.S. officials told Fox News.
Fox News is withholding naming the soldier until the next of kin are notified.
"U.S. forces were conducting an advise and assist mission alongside members of the Somali National Army" near Barii, about 40 miles west of Mogadishu, according to a statement from U.S. Africa Command.
A Somali intelligence official confirmed the U.S. military operation to The Associated Press, saying U.S. forces in helicopters raided an Al Shabab hideout near the Somali capital on Thursday night and engaged with fighters.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the helicopters dropped soldiers near Dare Salaam village in an attempt to capture or kill extremists in the area.
The official said the fighters mounted a stiff resistance against the soldiers.
Al Shabab "presents a threat to Americans and American interests," the USAC statement said.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/05/05/us-special-operations-member-killed-in-somalia.html
