Al-Shabab fighters had neared the completion of specialist training to conduct “offensive operations” when the US launched a drone strike on their base in Somalia, killing about 150 of them, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said in a report.

“Their removal will degrade al-Shabab’s ability to meet the group’s objectives in Somalia, which includes recruiting new members, establishing bases and planning attacks on US and Amisom forces there,” he said, referring to the African Union mission in Somalia.

Adding on, Capt Davis said the training camp had been under surveillance for some time.