Somalia ? The U.S. Navy fired at least one missile into a southern Somali town before dawn Monday, targeting a terrorism suspect as an Islamic group with links to al-Qaida appears to be gathering sway again in this lawless African nation.

Residents and police in Dobley said at least eight people, including four children, were seriously injured when a home was destroyed. The attack was confirmed by U.S. officials, who said only that the target was a “known al-Qaida terrorist.”

The U.S. military has staged several attacks on suspected extremists in Somalia over the past year amid fears the Horn of Africa country could become a haven for terrorists.

“As we have repeatedly said, we will continue to pursue terrorist activities and their operations wherever we may find them,” Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said in Washington.

Whitman declined to provide any details, including the target’s identity, the fate of the targeted individual or reports of any other casualties.