Somali Government: U.S. May Have Killed Top Terror Leader
In its continued effort to curb global terrorism, the U.S. reportedly killed six militants and possible a top leader of the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab in Somalia over the weekend.
A member of the extremist group confirmed to Reuters Tuesday that Ahmed Abdi Godane, the spiritual leader of the al-Shabab group, had been in one of two vehicles that were struck by a U.S. airstrike as they left a meeting and headed to the town of Barawe, where the terrorist organization is based.
A Pentagon official confirmed to Reuters that the U.S. had carried out an attack on suspected al-Shabab leaders over the weekend, but did not go so far as to confirm that Godane was one of the six people killed during the airstrike.
"U.S. military forces conducted an operation in Somalia today against the al-Shabab network. We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby told Reuters.
A Somalian government official, who remained anonymous, added to the media outlet that Godane "might have been killed along with other militants" in the airstrike, although his death has yet to be confirmed.
Acccording to The Guardian, Godane, also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr, is the spiritual leader of al-Shabab who has previously initiated an alliance between his militant group and the al Qaeda terrorist organization.
Although the Pentagon did not indicate the reason for the U.S.'s recent air attack, The Guardian reports that the U.S. move may have been in response to a recent prison attack in Somalia, when seven Islamic militants ambushed the prison in an attempt to free other extremists being held there. The Somali government has since regained control of the prison following the extremist attack.
