Ahmed Abdi Godane, also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubayr, the leader of Al-Shabaab, is dead. A reward up to $7 million had been offered by the U.S. government. (Photo: Getty Images)
U.S. officials confirmed Friday that 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.
Ahmed Abdi Godane — the leader of al-Shabaab who once had a $7 million dollard bounty on his head – was killed during U.S. airstrikes Monday that also killed 10 other Islamic terrorist militants.
President Obama, speaking at a NATO summit in Wales, attempted to tout the strike as an example of his tough stance on terrorism.
“We have been very systematic and methodical in going after these kind of organizations” that threaten U.S. personnel and the homeland, Obama said. “That deliberation allows us to do it right, but have no doubt: We will continue to do what is necessary to protect the American people.”
Prior to the president speaking, the White House and Pentagon released statements confirming Godane’s death.
“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.
U.S. officials had only admitted to a strike on Monday assisted by U.S. special operations forces using manned and drone aircraft. The Pentagon said the strikes destroyed a terror encampment and a single vehicle using multiple Hellfire missiles and laser-guided munitions. However, they refused to confirm that Godane had been killed until Friday.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for last September’s Westgate Mall shooting that left 68 dead and another 200 injured.
The State Department declared al-Shabab a terrorist organization in February 2008.
