U.S. Involvement in Somali Conflict Remains Limited

So far, U.S. forces in the East Africa have limited air strikes in Somalia -- the alleged home of several high-ranking al-Qaida suspects -- to one aerial assault earlier this month that killed dozens, none of which were high-profile targets, a Pentagon spokesman told World Politics Review.

"That was the only air strike conducted there," said the spokesman, refuting reports that U.S. forces have conducted follow-up attacks since the Jan. 8 strafing that left dozens dead. The U.S. military has said all those killed were Islamist fighters, though Somali witnesses on the ground reported some civilians killed.

The Pentagon spokesman did, however, note that a small number of U.S. forces are on the ground in Somalia, marking yet another front in the U.S. war on terrorism.

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