NAIROBI, Kenya – A fortnight elapsed before the United States confirmed that Mohamed Mire, alias Abu Abdirahman, succumbed to injuries post a precision airstrike at Quyno Barrow, in a coordinated operation with the Somali National Army (SNA) led by US Africa Command.
The confirmation process after airstrikes is often prolonged, as US forces and the elite Danab troops meticulously evaluate both pre-strike and post-strike scenarios, scrutinizing details to verify the identities and outcomes of these detailed missions worldwide, including Somalia.
Widely known as a long-standing authority within the Al-Shabaab, Mire managed regional governance affairs for nearly twenty years and was instrumental in steering the group’s crucial operations in Somalia.
“Mire, who held the interior minister role, was pivotal in Al-Shabaab’s strategic decisions,” noted the US Africa Command.
Al-Shabaab, which controls parts of central and southern Somalia, generates nearly $130 million annually. This revenue stream sustains their operations and finances advanced weaponry acquisitions, with about $24 million earmarked for weapon purchases.
The United States consistently supports efforts against Al-Shabaab in a strategic partnership with the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), formerly known as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
“The evolving threats of terrorism remain a priority in our National Security Strategy,” stated U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander. “We work alongside regional allies to counter threats like Al-Shabaab, enhancing security, stability, and prosperity.”
Identified two years prior by the U.S. Department of State as a global terrorist under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, Mire was relentlessly monitored by elite forces, culminating in the mission fortnight ago.
“Specific operational details remain confidential for security reasons, yet the command will review the mission’s outcomes and disseminate further information as deemed necessary,” the Command emphasized.
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