U.S. Airstrikes Targeted At Al-Shabaab Leader In Somalia

US-airstrikes-target-al-Shabaab-in-Somalia

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby has said that the United States on Monday targeted an al-Shabaab leader in an airstrike in Somalia. UPI reports:

The strike took place near Saakow, Somalia, with the use of an unmanned aircraft. The name of the al-Shabaab leader targeted was not reported.

“At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties,” Kirby said in a statement. “We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information, when appropriate, as details become available.”

The airstrike came two days after a top leader in the terror group surrendered to Somali government authorities.

Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, the chief of intelligence for al-Shabaab, gave himself up near the borders with Ethiopia and Kenya. The U.S. State Department had issued a $3 million bounty for Hersi.