Somalia says at least 46 militants killed in US strike

"We believe they come mainly from Arab countries."

The information could not be independently verified.

US President Donald Trump wrote on Saturday on X that he had ordered the air strikes.

In a statement, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the action, via the US Africa Command, was in co-ordination with the Somalian government.

There have been repeated US drone attacks on Islamist militants in Somalia but these were not usually publicly highlighted.

Last month, the Puntland authorities announced an offensive against the Islamists in a mountainous region.

At the time, there was also talk of air support from the United Arab Emirates.

For years, Somalia has been fighting Islamists who have carried out attacks both in the country itself and in neighbouring states.