US confirms death of Al-Shabaab commander responsible for Manda Airfield raid in Kenya

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MOGADISHU, Somalia - The US military has for the first time confirmed the death of one of Al-Shabaab's most wanted terrorists, ending the uncertainty that ensued following a report by the Somalia government on Saturday.

Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud, a senior al-Shabab leader suspected of involvement in the attack on U.S. and Kenyan forces in Manda Bay, Kenya, was killed in a late February airstrike in Somalia, U.S. Africa Command officials said Sunday.

Also known as Bashir Qorgab, the commander had been designated by US State Treasury for coordinating sophisticated attacks within and outside Somalia from 2010.

The State Department placed a $5 million bounty on him, leading to his disappearance for years before meeting his death on Feb. 22 in the vicinity of Saakow town.

Somalia's state media had earlier on Sunday confirmed Bashir's demise but AFRICOM remained tight-lipped over the matter. He was killed alongside his wife, whom the US had termed as "active" Al-Shabaab member.

But in an interview with the Military Times, US Africa Command confirmed Bashir's death, adding that he was a "danger" to innocent people.

“This terrorist was responsible for the pain and suffering of many innocent people,” Air Force Col. Christopher Karns, AFRICOM’s director of public affairs, said.

“He can no longer inflict physical pain on others, nor export his hate and violence more broadly. What we are doing in Somalia is meaningful basic security insurance for Africa and the long term security of America, the continent and our international partners.”

Last week, Gen. Stephen Townsend, the AFRICOM commander, had hinted about the death of "senior Al-Shabaab terrorist" responsible for Manda Bay raid, although he did not immediately disclose the name.

The Jan. 5 raid at Manda Airfield, which hosts the US Marine Corps, left three Americans dead. While appearing at US Senate Committee on Armed Forces, Townsend conceded that the troops "we caught unprepared" by the Al-Shabaab.

Karns added that Mahamoud had a “suspected association” with the planning of al-Shabab’s attack on Manda Bay airfield Jan. 5, which resulted in the deaths of Army Spc. Henry Mayfield Jr., 23, and two Defense Department contractors, Dustin Harrison, 47, and Bruce Triplett, 64.

Investigations are currently underway to establish circumstances that led to the raid. Already, several East Africa Response Force [EARF] troops have been deployed for reinforcement in the base.

Last month, Gen. Townsend visited Kenya and Somalia, where he met senior political and military leaders. He emphasized America's commitment to help the region "crush" Al-Shabaab militants.

Al-Shabab has approximately 5,000 to 7,000 militants in Somalia. The US has a total of around 7,000 troops in Africa, with close to 600 working in Somalia, State Department confirmed.

AFRICOM officials told reporters in January they believe al-Shabab militants from Somalia entered Kenya with the help of facilitators within that country.

There were also reports that the KDF team at the base "hid" in the grass during the attack although Kenya military dismissed the reports as "propaganda" in a statement released by Col. Paul Njuguna.

Mr. Bashir's death came few days after reports indicated that he had fallen out with Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Omar, leading to his expulsion. Somalia's spy agency NISA claimed that "he opposed death of civilians" contrary to the group leader's stand.

Last year, AFRICOM conducted 63 airstrikes in Somalia — a record for the command, the highest ever aerial aid by America in Somalia, Military Times reported.

AFRICOM has so far conducted more than 20 airstrikes in Somalia this year, including one conducted in the area of Gandarshe, Somalia, Saturday. The command said in a news release it estimates four militants were killed in that strike.

GAROWE ONLINE

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