Somali officials say recent airstrikes inside its borders killed as many as 22 of its soldiers though US officials have said the strike killed nine Al Shabaab fighters, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the department would pursue an investigation if collateral damage claims are made. The Sept. 28 airstrikes reportedly were made to support African Union Mission in Somalia troops fighting Al Shabaab at an IED factory. The region’s security minister told Al Jazeera 22 of his soldiers were killed in the strike, and apparently a rival region requested the air strike and duped the US. Carter said Friday that “in all instances when questions are raised about actions of US airstrikes, we pursue them.” The US would share results of any investigation, though “w?e haven’t looked at this matter yet.” Carter said the US is the most precise country in the world in conducting airstrikes and “we’ve demonstrated that record consistently, but that also acknowledges the fact mistakes are made.”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed to undertake far-reaching reforms on the way the U.S. military buys weapons, promising a sweeping overhaul of the way the Defense Department determines requirements, handles the acquisition process, and tests its kit. The fundamental goal, which Hegseth underscored in a 1-hour and 10-minute speech…
