MOGADISHU, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Somalia government on Monday confirmed that an Al-Shabaab commander was killed in drone strikes by U.S. and Somalia security forces in southern region on Sunday.
The ministry of information said Ali Mohamed Hussein who was Al-Shabaab militant group's commander for Benadir region was killed in a coordinated operation with international partners near Torotoroow in southern Somalia.
"It is believed that Ali Mohamed Hussein (Ali Jabal) was killed in the operation," the ministry said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
It said the senior commander was part of an Al-Shabaab network responsible for planning and executing several bombings and assassinations that resulted in the deplorable death of numerous innocent civilians in Mogadishu.
"The successful operation signals the government's continued commitment to protect Somali citizens and reduce Al-Shabaab's ability to conduct senseless acts of violence against the people of Somalia, its East African neighbors, and the international community," the ministry said.
Although the insurgents have largely been expelled from Somali cities, they have continued suicide attacks, having killed five people and ambushing Africa Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM)'s convoy in southern Somalia both on Sunday.
