Al Shabaab insurgents with links to al Qaeda control much of southern and central Somalia along with parts of the capital Mogadishu. They have been fighting the U.N.-backed government and African Union troops for several years.
The presence of the largely Western-funded African troops has helped the insurgents champion a nationalist cause and recruit several hundred foreign fighters, some with a direct link to al Qaeda, analysts say.
Kismayu residents said the aircraft — some said helicopters, others said planes — attacked a place called Qandal about 10 km (6 miles) south of the port, where foreign jihadists within al Shabaab’s ranks stay.
The United States has authorised covert operations in the Horn of Africa nation in the past. U.S. special forces killed one of east Africa’s top al Qaeda militants, Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Nabhan, in southern Somalia in September 2009.
U.S. officials have said they have a list of suspects they believe are in Somalia and constantly monitor the country with a view to striking if any are spotted