General William Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, was among senior U.S. officials who spoke out against the al-Shabaab terror bombing August 24, 2010, in Mogadishu, Somalia, that killed more than 30 people, including members of parliament.

"I am greatly saddened by the loss of life that occurred in yesterday's terror attacks in Mogadishu," Ward said late on August 25 in a statement to the Stars and Stripes newspaper.

"Al-Shabaab's repeated killing of innocent civilians shows a disturbing disregard for human life," Ward said. "Just last week I was in Djibouti where I participated in an Iftar dinner, where our Muslim partners and friends participate in the nightly breaking of their religious fast during the holy month of Ramadan. Yesterday's attacks are a contradiction of the principles and ethics I've learned from Islam. Al-Shabaab continues to deprive the Somali people of hope and is destabilizing the region."

In an interview earlier in the week with Stars and Stripes, Ward also said AFRICOM would be prepared, if directed by U.S. civilian leadership, to provide military training support for Somalia's Transitional Federal Government forces. However, he stressed that he does not anticipate any direct role for U.S. forces on the ground in Somalia.

Other U.S. government officials strongly condemned the most recent in a long series of al-Shabaab attacks as the group attempts to take control of Somalia by overcoming Somalia's Transitional Federal Government.

"We are saddened today by the loss of life," said John Brennan, assistant to President Obama for counterterrorism and homeland security.

"It's our understanding that there were over 30 killed, including six parliamentarians," Brennan said August 24 in a White House press briefing in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, where President Obama was traveling. "This is a particularly outrageous act during the Islamic month of Ramadan. And al-Shabaab's vision for Africa stands in sharp contrast to the vision of the overwhelming majority of Africans, like those who participated in the President's youth forum, that the future that Africa -- that these Africans desire and that the continent itself so richly deserves."

Brennan added, "The United States will continue to partner with those who oppose terrorism, extremism and violence in all forms, and will continue to work very closely with those in Africa, particularly in the Horn of Africa in Somalia, who are interested in ensuring that Africa can build and realize its full potential and prosperity for all Africans."

State Department Spokesman Philip J. Crowley also spoke out against the attacks.

"The United States strongly condemns today's murderous attack by al-Shabaab against civilians staying at the Mouna Hotel in Mogadishu," Crowley told reporters August 24. "Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims. The attack occurring during Ramadan highlights al-Shabaab's complete disregard for human life, Somali culture, and Islamic values. The terrorists appear to have been targeting Somali parliamentarians and other members of the Transitional Federal Government –- further evidence that they are bent on depriving Somalia of security, peace, and stability."

Crowley added, "The United States reaffirms its strong commitment to stand with the Somali people and transitional government and the African Union Mission in Somalia as they courageously work to restore peace and stability in Somalia. And this comes at a time – and we're very grateful for the fact that this week we have additional resources arriving in support of the AMISOM mission, troops coming from Uganda."