US special forces have killed a senior Islamic State operative and 10 other militants in a raid on a mountain cave complex in a remote part of northern Somalia.
The operation carried out on Wednesday targeted Bilal al-Sudani, who is said to have played a key role in financing the terrorist group activities in Africa and Afghanistan, as well as the leadership of the organization in Somalia.
The American President Joe Biden was informed last week of the Somalia mission, which followed months of planning, and was given the green light this week.
Intelligence officials have had al-Sudani on their radar for years.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said: “This action makes the United States and its partners safer and more secure, and it reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting Americans from the threat of terrorism at home and abroad. ‘foreigner.”
US Africa Command said in a statement: “Given the remoteness of the operation, the assessment is that no civilians were injured or killed.
“The protection of civilians remains an essential part of the command’s operations to promote greater security for all Africans.”
An American involved in the operation was bitten by a dog, but was not seriously injured, according to an administration official.
US officials have provided few details on how the mission was carried out or the circumstances of al-Sudani’s killing.
An official said US forces intended to capture him, but that proved not to be “feasible” as the operation unfolded.
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The US success comes days after Africa Command said it carried out a strike northeast of the capital, Mogadishu, near Galcad.
During this operation, Somali National Army forces engaged in fierce fighting following a prolonged and intense attack by more than 100 Al Shabaab militants.
The United States estimated that around 30 terrorists were killed in the operation.
Somali forces’ offensive against Al-Shabaab has been described as the largest in more than a decade.
