[Published: Tuesday September 02 2014]
US 'targets al-Shabab's leader in Somalia
Mogadishu, 2 Sep - (ANA) - The US military has carried out air strikes in Somalia, reportedly targeting the leader of militant group al-Shabab. It is not clear if Ahmed Abdi Godane was hit in the strikes some 240km (150 miles) south of the capital, Mogadishu. One resident said he had seen the burnt-out remains of four vehicles. US officials say they will release further details later. The al-Qaeda-linked group controls many areas of southern and central Somalia. The US has carried out several air strikes in Somalia in recent years. African leaders are meeting in Kenya on Tuesday to discuss the threat posed by al-Shabab and other Islamist militant groups such as Boko Haram in Nigeria. Al-Shabab has not yet commented on the attack. A US official quoted by the American media said "a senior al-Shabab operative" had been targeted but did not name him. "We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate," Pentagon spokesman John F Kirby said in a statement. Abdikadir Mohamed Nur, governor of Lower Shabeelle Region, who is with the advancing forces, told the BBC that the attack was successful. (ANA)
FA/ANA/2 September 2014--------
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