Africa

Leader of Somali terror group al-Shabab ‘killed’

Pentagon says Ahmed Abdi Godane died after targeted US airstrike on Monday

Residents of Buulomareer in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia walking alongside an African Union Forces tank, one day after the town was liberated from the terrorist group al-Shabab. The US has said that the leader of the group, Ahmed Abdi Godane, has been killed in an airstrike. Photograph: Tobin Jones handout via EPA.

Fri Sep 5 2014 - 18:38

The leader of the al-Shabab terror group, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was the target of a US airstrike on Monday in Somalia has died.

The Pentagon's press secretary, Rear Admiral John Kirby, confirmed the death in a statement.

US president Barack Obama, speaking at the conclusion of a Nato summit in Newport, Wales, said the successful strike was an example of his administration's determination to hit back at terrorists.

Mr Obama said the US would use the same approach in degrading the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

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“We have been very systematic and methodical in going after these kind of organisations,” Mr Obama said.

“That deliberation allows us to do it right, but have no doubt: We will continue to do what is necessary to protect the American people.”

The White House declared a counter-terrorism success.

"Godane's removal is a major symbolic and operational loss to the largest al Qaida affiliate in Africa and reflects years of painstaking work by our intelligence, military and law enforcement professionals," a White House statement said.

"Even as this is an important step forward in the fight against al Shabab, the United States will continue to use the tools at our disposal — financial, diplomatic, intelligence and military — to address the threat that al Shabab and other terrorist groups pose to the United States and the American people," it added.

US officials had said after the strike on Monday that special operations forces using manned and drone aircraft had destroyed an encampment and a vehicle using several Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions.

The State Department declared al-Shabab a terrorist organisation in February 2008.

“Under the leadership of Godane, al Shabab has claimed responsibility for many bombings, including suicide attacks in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting officials and perceived allies of the federal government of Somalia, as well as the former transitional federal government of Somali,” Mr Kirby said.

AP

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