U.S. drone fired Hellfire missile at Shabab leader in Somalia

Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The United States has again targeted an Al Qaida-aligned leader in Somalia.

Shabab rally near Mogadishu, Somalia in February 2012. / AP
Shabab rally near Mogadishu, Somalia in February 2012. / AP

The Defense Department said the U.S. military launched an air strike against a senior commander of Shabab in Somali. The Pentagon said the attack was conducted by a Predator-B unmanned aerial vehicle south of Mogadishu on Jan. 31.

“I’m not in a position now to confirm the results of the strike,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “But if successful — if he no longer breathes — then this is a significant, another significant blow to Al Shabab.”

The Shabab target was identified as Yusef Dheeq, said to be commander of external operations for Shabab. Officials said Dheeq also was responsible for intelligence and security.

Officials said the U.S. military used the AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missile in the attack. They did not say when Washington could determine whether Dheeq was killed or injured.

Over the last year, the U.S. military conducted several air and ground strikes on Shabab leaders in Somalia. Most of them were said to have failed.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login