Senior Al-Shabaab leader killed in Somalia airstrike
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Staff Reporter Garowe Online
- Posted On 17-12-2023, 05:50PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The government has announced the killing of a top Al-Shabaab leader, in what would be considered one of the most significant victories against the group in the Lower Jubba region, which has been a major stronghold for the militants for the last two decades.
Without announcing the name of the Al-Shabaab leader, state media lauded the US Africa Command, which played a key role in downing the militant. The victim was said to be a critical coordinator of Al-Shabaab militants within the vast Lower Jubba region.
"Somali forces, backed by the US, struck down a senior al-Shabaab figure in Middle Jubba today. Planned drone operation eliminated leader responsible for war efforts," read the statement by the state media.
The death is yet to be confirmed by the US Africa Command, which usually does a lot of due diligence before making such information public. The operation comes a few months before the commencement of the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab.
Somalia is involved in military operations against the group and the first phase left at least 3,000 militants dead in Galmadug and Southwest states. However, the second phase was delayed in Jubaland and Southwest states.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud insists that once the military operations are over, the government will invest in a more strategic approach by targeting financiers of the group. Last year, at least 250 bank accounts and 70 mobile money transfer firms.
Simultaneously, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS ) troops have started withdrawing from the country, as agreed in the Somali Transition Plan. Today, the troops handed over the Presidential Palace and Parliament Firward Operating Bases.
The name of the leader will be announced later, authorities said without giving much details. The US has placed a bounty on the heads of several Al-Shabaab leaders including group leader Abu Ubaida and Ahmed Karate, one of the notorious financial controllers.
GAROWE ONLINE
