http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/09/05/white-house-pentagon-confirms-leader-al-shabaab-killed-during-somalia-drone/Published September 05, 2014FoxNews.com
The leader of the Islamic militant organization behind the slaughter at a Kenya mall last year was killed during a U.S. military strike earlier this week, U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News Friday.
Ahmed Abdi Godane — the leader of al Shabab – was killed during an airstrike Monday that also claimed the lives of 10 other militants.
“Godane's removal is a major symbolic and operational loss to the largest Al Qaeda affiliate in Africa and reflects years of painstaking work by our intelligence, military and law enforcement professionals,” the White House said in a written statement.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby echoed the statement.
“The U.S. military undertook operations against Godane on Sept. 1, which led to his death,” he said in a statement. “Removing Godane from the battlefield is a major symbolic and operational loss to al-Shabaab.”
Earlier this week, senior officials said the drone targeted Godane as he left a meeting of the group’s top leaders. The official told The Associated Press that intelligence indicated Godane was likely killed in the attack.
Al Shabab claimed responsibility for last September's Westgate Mall shooting that left 68 dead and another 200 injured.
