US targets militant leader in drone strike

The U.S. military launched an airstrike in Somalia on Sunday against a militant leader who was linked to al Qaeda and al Shabaab, according to reports.

A Pentagon official confirmed to Reuters that the strike was carried out in southern Somalia, and was considered a successful operation. 

{mosads}None of the reports indicated the identity of the suspect.

Officials told Reuters and USA Today that the strike was conducted in a remote area of the country near Barawe, Somalia. 

The strike was executed with a missile, Reuters reports. 

It was a “coordinated operation,” according to USA Today’s source.

The U.S. has previously targeted leaders linked to al Shabaab in Somalia. Reuters notes U.S. commandos failed to capture a militant leader during a raid in Barawe last October.