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US Pentagon Confirms Death of Al-Shabab leader

Storyline:National News

The Pentagon on Friday confirmed the death of the leader of the al-Shabab, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was the target of a U.S. airstrike Monday in Somalia.

The Pentagon’s press secretary, Rear Adm. John Kirby, confirmed the death in a brief written statement.

“We have confirmed that Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of al-Shabaab, has been killed,” Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement.

The White House declared a counterterrorism success.

“Godane’s removal is a major symbolic and operational loss to the largest al-Qaida affiliate in Africa and reflects years of painstaking work by our intelligence, military and law enforcement professionals,” a White House statement said.

U.S. officials had said after the strike on Monday that U.S. special operations forces using manned and drone aircraft had destroyed an encampment and a vehicle using several Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions. But they did not confirm that Godane had been killed until Friday.

The federal government of Somalia today said it will announce the fate of Al Shabaab leader within 24 hours.

Al Shabaab is yet to comment on the reports suggesting the death of its leader Ahmed Abdi Godane who reportedly came under attack when US drones hit his convoy near Barawe town on 1st of September.