Mogadishu, Jan 27 (IANS): The Somali government Monday confirmed the killing of a commander of the Al Qaeda-linked Al Shabab group in an overnight air strike in the south of the Horn of Africa nation.
Somali Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed confirmed the killing of Ahmed Abdelkadir Amu Iskudhuuq, saying in a tweet post that the attack would prevent jihadists from making Somalia a safe heaven, Xinhua reported.
"Air strike in Lower Shabelle kills senior Shabaab official. No hiding place for Al Shabab in Somalia," Radio Mogadishu reported.
The strike also killed Iskudhuuq's two bodyguards.
A drone allegedly carried out the attack in an area controlled by the militant group against Somali government forces and African Union peacekeeping troops.
Iskudhuuq was the chief of Amniyad, a unit in the Al Shabaab responsible for military intelligence and assassinations.