US carries out first airstrikes against Islamic State in Somalia

At least half a dozen missiles are said to have been fired in two airstrikes, as the US extends its fight against Islamic State.

Image:Drones were used to carry out the attack remotely. File pic

The US has carried out its first airstrikes against Islamic State fighters in Somalia, killing "several terrorists".

The US Africa Command said two drone strikes had taken place in northeastern Somalia, with the first coming at midnight local time on Friday and the second later in the morning.

The attack was carried out in coordination with the Somali government.

At least six missiles hit Buqa, a mountainous village in the northern state of Puntland, a Somali security official said.

The attack may have targeted senior leaders of IS, which has a growing presence in the region.

The mayor of nearby Qandala town, Jama Mohamed, confirmed the attack, which he said had terrified locals and sent them fleeing with their animals.

America has previously carried out more than a dozen drone strikes against the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group in Somalia.

It has a much bigger presence in the country than IS and was blamed for last month's attack in Somali capital Mogadishu, which killed more than 350 people.

In May, IS said it was behind a suicide bombing in Puntland state that killed at least four people - thought to be the first time it has claimed an attack in Somalia.