The Killing of a Leader of 'Al-Shabaab' by American and Somali Forces

The Somali government states that American and Somali forces have killed a senior leader of the militant and Islamist group 'Al-Shabaab', who was responsible for planning multiple attacks in Somalia and Kenya. Dawood Oweis, the Somali Minister of Information, confirmed the death of the leader, Ayman, on December 17 during a joint operation of the Somali National Army with the assistance of American forces. He noted that the killed leader was responsible for planning several deadly terrorist attacks in Somalia and neighboring countries. A spokesperson for the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed the execution of an airstrike by AFRICOM but emphasized that the targeting of the individual in question has not yet been confirmed. AFRICOM and the Somali Ministry of Information also announced that the attack took place near the town of Jilib in southern Somalia. Ayman's name was on the list of individuals wanted under the U.S. State Department's 'Rewards for Justice' program, with a reward of $10 million offered for information leading to his capture or conviction. According to this department, this senior Al-Shabaab leader was responsible for orchestrating an attack on a military base in Kenya in 2019, which resulted in the deaths of three Americans - one soldier and two contractors.