Free Headline Alerts     
Worldwide Web WorldTribune.com

  breaking... 


Friday, May 2, 2008

U.S. strike kills Al Qaida leader in central Somalia

CAIRO — The U.S. military has assassinated Al Qaida's network commander in Somalia.

In what capped more than a year-long effort, U.S. aircraft struck and killed Aden Hashi Ayro, commander of the Al Qaida-aligned Al-Shabab, the armed wing of the Council of Islamic Courts movement. The U.S. State Department regards Al Shabab a terrorist organization.

Ayro's brother, another Al Qaida commander, and 11 others were killed in the air strike on Thursday in the central Somali town of Dusamareeb. Another top commander was identified as Muhidin Mohamud Omar. The United States has not claimed responsibility, Middle East Newsline reporte.

Also In This Edition

The death of the Al Qaida commanders came as Al Shabab has expanded operations in Somalia. After being driven out by the Ethiopian Army in December 2006, Al Shabab has captured several Somali towns and seized weapons from the nation's military.

Ayro received his training in Afghanistan in the late 1990s. Al Shabab reported the death of Ayro as well as his colleagues.

Hours after the assassination, the U.S. Defense Department confirmed the attack in Somalia. The Pentagon did not identify the Al Qaida target.

"When you have something like this, there is a certain amount of analysis that goes on," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. "While you are conducting that analysis, you want to be careful not to provide any information that potentially could be of use to the enemy."



About Us     l    Contact Us     l    Geostrategy-Direct.com     l    East-Asia-Intel.com
Copyright © 2008    East West Services, Inc.    All rights reserved.