‘Key’ al Qaeda operative killed in drone strike

The Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday that it killed a “key” member of al-Shabaab, al Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia, in a drone strike earlier this week. 

“Working from actionable intelligence, U.S. forces using unmanned aircraft struck a vehicle carrying Adan Garar, a member of al-Shabaab’s intelligence and security wing,” the Pentagon said in a statement. 

{mosads}”The attack was a success and resulted in the death of Garar.” 

The attack took place on March 12 at approximately 7:30 a.m. ET in the vicinity of Diinsoor, Somalia, officials said. 

The Pentagon said Garar was responsible for coordinating external operations for al-Shabaab. 

Those operations “target U.S. persons and other Western interests in order to further al-Qaida’s goals and objectives,” it said. 

Garar “posed a major threat to the region and the international community and was connected to the West Gate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya,” the statement said. 

“His death has dealt another significant blow to the al Shabaab terrorist organization in Somalia,” the statement said.