Somalia: Senior al-Shabaab commanders flee after US Navy SEAL’s killing

AWDHEGLE, Somalia- The top commanders of the militant group al-Shabaab began to flee their hideouts in Lower Shabelle region following the killing of U.S. Navy SEAL in Darusalam in May 5, Garowe Online reports.

An official in the southern region told GO over that phone that al-Shabaab leaders are on the run after abandoning two rebel-held villages called Jilib, Marka and Gandirshe near No-50 district last night.

“al-Shabaab commanders are fleeing since last night from their hideouts in Lower Shabelle, fearing possible U.S. Airstrikes, in revenge for the killing of the Navy SEAL last Thursday in Darusalam,” he said.

Somalia’s Federal government said on Sunday in statement that senior al-Shabab commander who was in charge of the group in Lower Shabelle region Moalim Osman Abdi Badil was killed during the US raid near Barir.

The Navy SEAL, Kyle Milliken, 38, was killed during an operation against al-Shabaab on May 5, in  Bariire, a remote area located approximately 60 km west of the capital Mogadishu, the Pentagon said on Saturday.

GAROWEONLINE