MOGADISHU, Nov 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said on Sunday that it conducted an airstrike near Araara, in southern Somalia, on Saturday, killing four al-Shabab militants.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the air raid was carried out in cooperation with the Somali government.

"We currently assess this airstrike killed four terrorists. We currently assess no civilians were injured or killed in this airstrike," AFRICOM said in a statement.

The U.S. military said the airstrike was conducted after armed militants were maneuvering to attack partner forces during a patrol.

"No U.S. service members were present on the ground during this Somali-led operation," said AFRICOM.

U.S. forces, in cooperation with Somali government and African Union peacekeeping mission troops, are conducting operations against al-Shabab in Somalia to degrade the al-Qaida affiliate's ability to recruit, train and plot external terror attacks.