Somalia: ISIL affiliated group leader survives U.S. Air raid

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The President of Somalia's northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali "Gaas" has confirmed U.S. airstrike in Bari region last Friday, Nov 3, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to VOA Somali Service, President Ali said the leader of the ISIL affiliated faction in Somalia Sheikh Abdulkadir Munin has survived the air raid occurred in Buqo area, 160Km east of Bosaso city.

Ali said Puntland greatly welcomes such attacks targeting the terrorist groups hiding the hills of Bari region, including Al Shabaab and Pro-Islamic Militants. Mumin, a former Al Shabaab commander was the main target of the U.S.attack.

Ali said the U.S. did not share the result of the attack with his adminstartion, but the informmation he had was based on information from his region’s intelligence agencies.

"Based on the information we have been told by our security agencies, Mumin is still alive and is not dead following 2-day U.S. airstrikes targeted on pro-ISIL militants in the area," said President Ali.

When asked if the U.S. aerial assault was related to recent terror attacks in the coastal city of Bosaso, and imminent threat to Somalia and a region, Ali replied that the aim was aimed to eliminate Mumin.

The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said in a statement that several Pro-Islamic State militants were killed in the strikes. The first attack occurred at around midnight and the second attack took place the following Friday morning at noon.

The President stated that both Al Shabaab and ISIL militants are same enemy of country as their ideology is to kill and maim the innocent civilians. The US attack was rare against Deash in Somalia.

Finally, Puntland President Abdiweli Gaas who was no on working visit in Mogadishu has urged the public to unite for eradication of the terrorists from the whole country.

GAROWE ONLINE