The United States has vowed to deepen cooperation with authorities in Somalia to stabilize the country, after the death of a navy service member during an operation against al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda affiliated group.

US Ambassador to Somalia, Stephen Michael Schwartz, stressed on Washington's intention to deepen partnership with the Somali government for regional peace.

An American soldier was killed on Thursday in a night-time raid in Somalia, in what is believed to be the first US military death in combat there since the infamous events of "Black Hawk Down" 24 years ago. 

The death occurred three weeks after the US announced the deployment of "a few dozen troops" to Somalia, tasked with training and equipping Somalian troops to fight Al-Shabaab militants. 

"One US service member was killed during an operation against al-Shabaab near Barii, Somalia, approximately 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Mogadishu," during the raid on Thursday, the United States' Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement.

Two other US soldiers were wounded in the operation, AFRICOM spokeswoman Robyn Mack said.

The White House has granted the US military broader authority to carry out strikes in Somalia against al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab, the latest sign President Donald Trump is increasing US military engagement in the region.

Still, US participation in the Somalia-led assault was carried out under authorities in place for years, the Pentagon said. The targets were Al-Shabaab fighters tied to attacks.

Al-Shabaab, an extremist group, is responsible for dozens of attacks in east Africa, particularly Kenya. The US maintains a small force unit of about 50 troops in Somalia mainly to advise and assist Somalia and AMISOM  troops battling the militants.

"The objective was a compound and a group of people... associated with attacks against US, Somalia and AMISOM forces," said Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis, referring to African Union Mission in Somalia peacekeepers.

(Source: Agencies)