US conducts second strike in Somalia-US officials

WASHINGTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) The United States launched a second air strike in southern Somalia this week, US officials today said, marking the second US attack this month on Islamic extremists in the war-torn country.

The United States launched an air strike about two weeks ago against what officials then said were al Qaeda operatives. The target of the second strike was unclear.

One official said the targets were from the Somalia Islamic Courts Council, the militant group defeated by government troops with the backing of Ethiopia over the New Year. A second source, however, said the target was an al Qaeda operative.

A Pentagon spokesman declined to comment.

Washington believes Somali Islamists have protected al Qaeda members accused of bombing two US embassies and an Israeli-owned hotel in East Africa.

REUTERS SI ND2137