A senior commander in the East Africa-based militant group Al Shabab has been killed by a US air strike in Somalia, the United States Africa Command (Africom) said.
"Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud was a senior operational leader responsible for exporting terror in Somalia as well as attacks into Kenya," said Africom director of public affairs Colonel Christopher Karns.
"He has been a senior Al Shabab member for more than a decade."
Mahamoud was killed in an air strike on February 22, said Col Karns. He "had a role in planning and directing terrorist operations in Somalia and on the Kenya border region".
He was suspected of being involved in a January 5 attack on the US-Kenyan Manda Bay military base in south-eastern Kenya in which three Americans were killed, Col Karns said.
In 2008, the US offered a $5 million (Dh18.3m) reward for information on the whereabouts of Mahamoud, who used the alias Qorbag.
Africom said on February 25 that a senior Al Shabab leader and his wife were killed in an air strike three days earlier but did not identify them. It said his wife was also an active Al Shabab member.
Somalia's state radio said on Sunday that Mahamoud was killed in the southern town of Sakow, following a joint operation by the Somali army and US military.
Mahamoud had been designated by the US for his links to the terror group. As of 2008, he was one of about 10 members on Al Shabab’s leadership council.
On Saturday, American drones struck Al Shabab targets for the fourth time in just over a week, with the latest strike hitting four suspected members.
General Roger Cloutier, commander of US land forces in Africa, recently declared Al Shabab to be "one of the biggest threats on the continent".
PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
1 Man City 26 20 3 3 63 17 63
2 Liverpool 25 17 6 2 64 20 57
3 Chelsea 25 14 8 3 49 18 50
4 Man Utd 26 13 7 6 44 34 46
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5 West Ham 26 12 6 8 45 34 42
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6 Arsenal 23 13 3 7 36 26 42
7 Wolves 24 12 4 8 23 18 40
8 Tottenham 23 12 4 8 31 31 39
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
