20111031
Press TV
An American assassination drone has targeted an area in southeastern Somalia, claiming the lives of 19 people, Press TV reports.

Witnesses said on Monday that more than 46 others were wounded in the attack carried out between the towns of Kismayo and Jilib.

The attack came a day after Kenyan jets bombed Somalia's southern region, killing at least one dozen civilians, while injuring many more.

The attacks took place in the southern Somali region of lower Juba at two locations in Gilib, 98 kilometers (61 miles) south of Kismayo.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, Somali officials also confirmed to Press TV that two British warships have reached waters off the coast of Kismayo seaport on Monday morning to join US and Kenya military operations against Somalia's al-Shabab group.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Sunday that ships sailing under a British flag will be allowed to carry armed guards to protect themselves against pirate attacks.

In mid-October, Kenya dispatched soldiers over its border into Somalia to pursue al-Shabab fighters.

There are mounting indications that the United States and France are aiding the Kenyan operation.

This, in pursuit of what Kenya calls Somali militants blamed for a series of kidnappings on Kenyan soil. Nairobi also blames the militants for frequent assaults on its security forces in a border province.

Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed has said his transitional government is opposed to Kenya's military incursion into Somalia.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.