Senior Al-Shabaab commander killed in US military raid in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - A senior Al-Shabaab commander was among three terrorists killed on April. 2 at the vicinity of Bush Madina, US Africa Command has established, in one of the latest significant gains against the Al-Qaida linked group.

Through aerial bombardments, the US military attacked the town in Lower Shebelle, killing three Al-Shabaab operates, before waging a similar raid the following day, that left five more dead within the same town in southern Somalia, reports indicate.

In a statement on Tuesday, US Africa Command leader Gen. Stephen Townsend confirmed the death of Yusuf Jiis, an Al-Shabaab senior commander who has been under the surveillance of security forces.

Jiis, Gen. Townsend said, was one of the proprietors of the terror group and had held many "significant" positions that "facilitated" Al-Shabaab's violent and harmful activities throughout East Africa.

“This individual was a key leader in the al-Shabaab organization," Gen. Stephen Townsend, said in the statement. "He was violent, ruthless, and responsible for the loss of many innocent lives. His removal makes Somalia and neighboring countries safer."

Bush Madina is located in the notorious Bay region, approximately 135 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu. A total of eight terrorists were killed in the town within a duration of 24 hours, AFRICOM said.

The militant's death comes barely two months after the elimination of Bashir Qorgab, another top Al-Shabaab commander, who was killed in Saakow town. He was linked to January 5 attack at Manda Airfield in Kenya, officials said.

Al-Shabaab's menace in Somalia

Since 2008, the militants have been waging violent attacks against security forces and members of the public, in their quest to topple the fragile UN-backed Somalia government.

But their unrelenting activities have been met with almost equal force from Somali National Army [SNA], AMISOM troops and the powerful US military which provides aerial surveillance.

While the airstrike eliminated the ability of this brutal member of al-Shabaab from causing additional harm, continued efforts are required to create sustained security and stability in Somalia, AFRICOM added.

Maj. Gen. William Gayler, director of operations, U.S. Africa Command, insists that despite being significantly degraded, Al-Shabaab remains a "danger" to innocent civilians and security forces in Somalia

“Al-Shabaab remains a disease in Somalia and is an indiscriminate killer of innocent people and their only desire is to brutalize populations inside Somalia and outside of Somalia," he noted

"Putting pressure on this network helps contain their ambition and desire to cause harm and destruction," added the military general, who insisted that "the US is not about to stop" pursuing them.

The April. 2 attack which saw the top militant killed was the 32nd airstrike since January in Somalia. The group held a "crisis conference" recently to discuss "current" affairs according to their affiliate media.

Support offered to Somalia

Besides leading the onslaught against the militants, the US has also been supporting economic growth in Somalia, including its recent decision to support the country's $5.2 billion debt relief.

U.S. Africa Command, Townsend said, is keen to help the FGS provide a "safe and secure" environment for the people of Somalia, deter organizations such as al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia from expanding, and promote regional security.

With AFRICOM's support, AMISOM and the Somali National Army have made gains in al-Shabaab strongholds in southern Somalia, holding territory and establishing outposts. U.S.-trained SNA forces, along with combined counterterrorism efforts, AFRICOM said.

“While we might like to pause our operations in Somalia because of the Coronavirus, the leaders of al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab, and ISIS have announced that they see this crisis as an opportunity to further their terrorist agenda so we will continue to stand with and support our African partners," Townsend said.

There are about 500 US military forces in Somalia, whose main duty, besides helping in aerial surveillance, train and equip the country's elite Danab forces, who are currently around 1,200, a report by the UN noted.

A recent document that was issued by the Department of Defense indicates that those in Somalia could serve up to 2027. Across Africa, there are about 7,000 active service US military members, whose base is in Djibouti.

US raids can't just stop

By Monday, April. 6, the US military conducted the 37th airstrike in three months, the highest ever in a similar duration in as many years. The airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab militants in Jilib town, AFRICOM noted.

Five Al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in the town, which is regarded as Al-Shabaab headquarter. The town is located in Middle Juba, a territory held by the militants, but which has recently been targeted by the US.

"By assisting our partners in East Africa, we diminish a serious threat to Somalia as well as to the U.S. homeland," said Col. Christopher Karns, director of public affairs, U.S. Africa Command.

"Our efforts help to protect Somalis, Americans, and our international partners. We take this responsibility very seriously and continue to place pressure on the enemy."

Jilib raid came just hours after the US Africa Command had conducted a similar operation in Mubarak town, in which eight militants were killed on Sunday, reports indicate.

Since Thursday last week, a total of 21 terrorists have been killed in Somalia. This includes eight in Bush Madina, another eight in Mubarak and five in Jilib, statistics from AFRICOM shows.

In total, 50 militants have been killed since January in Somalia, excluding fatalities from ground combats. Despite the significant record, Amnesty International recently accused the US of targeting innocent civilians, a claim which AFRICOM is investigating.

But the US airstrikes in Somalia surpassed those conducted in the Middle East especially Syria and Iraq, perhaps a record which shows it's seriousness in eliminating Al-Shabaab militants.

GAROWE ONLINE