Somalia announces successful airstrike, eliminating Al-Shabab leader Maalim Ayman
The Somalia government announced today the successful airstrike that resulted in the death of prominent Al-Shabab leader Maalim Ayman earlier this week.
The Somalia government announced today the successful airstrike that resulted in the death of prominent Al-Shabab leader Maalim Ayman earlier this week. The operation, conducted by the US African Command in collaboration with the Somalia National Army, targeted Ayman, who was responsible for orchestrating multiple deadly terrorist attacks in Somalia and neighboring countries.
Information Minister Daud Awes conveyed that Maalim Ayman was killed on December 17, underscoring the government's commitment to holding individuals accountable for their acts of violence against the Somali people. He emphasized the government's broader vision to establish a peaceful and harmonious Somalia, both internally and in its relations with neighboring nations and the international community.
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Maalim Ayman had been globally designated as a wanted terrorist by the US government in November 2020. Accused of leading Jeysh Ayman, a unit of Al-Shabab, he was implicated in terrorist activities in both Kenya and Somalia. The US Department of State's Reward for Justice program had offered a substantial reward of $10 million for information leading to Ayman's arrest and conviction in any country.
Furthermore, Ayman was sought for his role as the mastermind behind the January 5, 2020, terrorist attack on US and Kenyan Defense Force personnel at the Manda Bay Airfield in Lamu. His elimination marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to dismantle the leadership of Al-Shabab and curb the threat of terrorism in the region.
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