US Drone Strike Eliminates Al-Shabab Leader Moalim Ayman

A U.S. drone strike in southern Somalia has killed Moalim Ayman, a senior militant leader of the al-Shabab group responsible for terrorist attacks in Kenya and Somalia. Ayman was accused of masterminding a 2020 attack on a military base in Kenya that killed three Americans. The strike took place on December 17, but the confirmation of Ayman's death was delayed due to the need for genetic matching. The U.S. Africa Command confirmed conducting the strike but has not yet confirmed the target. Al-Shabab, which controls parts of Somalia, declared war on Kenya in 2011. The Somali government, with assistance from clan militias and African Union peacekeeping troops, has been fighting against al-Shabab, but the group still maintains control over some areas and continues to carry out attacks.