Somali: US airstrike killed al-Shabaab commander

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By CGTN's Sam

The US military said on Monday it carried out a drone strike in Somalia that killed a member of the al-Shabaab extremist group, while Somalia’s government said it believes the strike killed a high-level al-Shabaab commander responsible for several deadly bombings in the capital.

A US Africa Command statement said the airstrike occurred on Saturday near Tortoroow, an al-Shabaab stronghold in Lower Shabelle region in southern Somalia.

A statement by Somalia’s information ministry said the government believes that Ali Mohamed Hussein died in the operation coordinated with “international partners.”

Ali had served as the extremist group’s shadow governor for the capital, Mogadishu, and had been one of the group’s most outspoken officials.

“This individual was part of an al-Shabaab network responsible for planning and executing several bombings and assassinations that resulted in the deplorable death of numerous innocent civilians in Mogadishu,” the ministry statement said.

Ethiopian soldiers serve under the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) listening to a speech by the AMISOM Acting Force Commander, Major General Nakibus Lakara (not in picture) in Halgan village, Hiran region, Somalia on June 10, 2016. /AFP Photo

The US statement said the airstrike was carried out in coordination with regional partners “as a direct response to al-Shabaab actions, including recent attacks on Somali forces.” The statement said no civilians were killed.

A Somali intelligence official said at least one missile struck a car in which the al-Shabaab leader was travelling. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

People carry a victim of a terror attack at the Ambassador Hotel, June 1, 2016. /AFP Photo

The extremist group has also carried out deadly attacks in neighboring countries, notably Kenya, calling it retribution for sending troops to Somalia to fight al-Shabaab.

The US military in early July said it carried out an airstrike against al-Shabaab in Somalia and was assessing the results. The airstrike followed one in June that the US said killed eight extremists at a rebel command and logistics camp in the south.

President Donald Trump earlier this year approved expanded military operations against al-Shabab, including more aggressive airstrikes.

The Somalia-based al-Shabaab earlier this month mocked Trump for the first time in a video that called him a “brainless billionaire.” The extremist group has also vowed to step up attacks in Somalia after the president elected in February declared a new offensive against al-Shabaab, which continues to carry out deadly attacks in Mogadishu.

The al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab is the deadliest Islamic extremist group in Africa.