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         Pentagon Confirms US Airstrike Killed Al-Shabab Security Chief

   by VOA News

   The Pentagon has confirmed that a victim of a U.S. airstrike on Saakow,
   Somalia, was the chief of Islamic militant group al-Shabab's
   intelligence and security wing.

   ''A U.S. Department of Defense statement Wednesday confirmed that a
   Hellfire missile strike on a vehicle killed al-Shabab security chief
   Tahlil Abdishakur on Monday.

   Pentagon spokesman James Brindle said the death of Tahlil, who was
   responsible for al-Shabab's external operations, will have a
   significant impact on al-Shabab's ability to conduct attacks against
   the Somali government, the Somali people, and U.S. allies and
   interests.

   The Pentagon first announced the airstrike Tuesday, saying the target
   was a senior al-Shabab leader in Somalia. It was not announced until
   Wednesday that the strike had hit its target. A Pentagon spokesman said
   it is believed that there are no civilian casualties.

   In September, another U.S. airstrike in Somalia killed al-Shabab leader
   Ahmed Abdi Godane.

   The al-Qaida-affiliated al-Shabab is trying to overthrow the Somali
   government and turn the country into a conservative Islamic state.

   Somali and African Union troops have had success in beating back the
   militants over the past year.
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   -al-shabab-security-chief/2580679.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/pentagon-confirms-us-airstrike-killed-al-shabab-security-chief/2580679.html