Senior Al-Shabaab leader killed in US strike in Somalia: Pentagon
A file photo taken on February 13, 2012 shows members of the Al-Shabaab in Elasha Biyaha, Somalia. Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said senior Al-Shabaab leader Abdirahman Sandhere was killed in a US air strike carried out on December 2, 2015. AFP FILE PHOTO | MOHAMED ABDIWAHAB
WASHINGTON
A senior leader of the Al-Shabaab died in a US air strike in Somalia last week which also killed two other militants, the Pentagon said Monday.
Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said removal of Abdirahman Sandhere "is a significant blow to Al-Shabaab and reflects the painstaking work by our intelligence, military, and law enforcement professionals."
Sandhere, "also known as 'Ukash,' a senior leader of the Al Qaeda-affiliated group Al-Shabaab, is dead as a result of a US military air strike in Somalia undertaken on December 2" he said.
The Al-Shabaab is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government in Mogadishu, which is protected by 22,000 African Union troops.
The group has lost much ground in recent years but remain a threat in both Somalia and neighbouring Kenya, where they have carried out a series of attacks.
The movement is also facing growing divisions with some members shifting allegiance from Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State group.
The United States has led drone strikes in Somalia against Al-Shabaab since 2011.
