The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has announced that an American airstrike killed a senior al-Shabaab leader near the town of Jilib, Somalia, on October 1.
In a statement, AFRICOM reported that “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network In Somalia on October I. The strike occurred near Jilib, about 370 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu. The command’s initial assessment is that the strike killed an al-Shabaab leader and that no civilians were injured or killed. U.S. Africa Command takes great measures to prevent civilian casualties. Protecting innocent civilians remains a vital part of the command’s operations to promote a more secure and stable Africa.”
U.S. forces conduct strike in Somalia targeting al-Shabaab leader
In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike against the al-Shabaab militant network in Somalia on October 1.
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— US AFRICOM (@USAfricaCommand) October 3, 2022
“Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinctically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests. U.S. Africa Command, alongside its partners, continues to take action to prevent this malicious terrorist group from planning and conducting attacks on civilians. Somalia remains key to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to give them the tools that they need to degrade al-Shabaab,” the statement added.
Abdullahi Nadir, a top leader of #Alshabab terrorists, wanted by Somali government for long time has been killed in operation conducted by Somali National Army and international security partners in Haramka village in Middle Jubba region, on 01-10-2022.#Somalia https://t.co/yJsfQL6Wts
— Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (@MOISOMALIA) October 2, 2022
Somalia’s government identified the target as Abdullahi Nadir, saying “His death is a thorn removed from the Somali nation” and that “The government is grateful to the Somali people and international friends; their cooperation facilitated the killing of this leader who is an enemy of the Somali nation.” Nadir, who also went by “Abdullahi Yare” and had a $3 million bounty on his head, was a senior al-Shabaab leader who held numerous positions within the terror group, such as head of media operations and chief of finance, and was considered second in command.
