U.S. Africa Command said on Friday that one U.S. service member was killed on Thursday during an operation against al-Shabaab in Somalia.
"U.S. forces were conducting an advise and assist mission alongside members of the Somali National Army," said U.S. Africa Command in a statement.
According to local media reports, which cited U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the U.S. service man killed was a U.S. Navy SEAL.
Speaking here at a briefing, Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis said al-Shabaab militants were "quickly neutralized" during the operation.
Al-Shabaab, an extremist group, is responsible for dozens of attacks in east Africa, particularly Kenya. The U.S. maintains a small force unit of about 50 troops in Somalia mainly to advise and assist Somalia and African Union mission in Somalia troops battling Al-Shabaab militants.

Source: Xinhua