Al Qaida's Chief In Somalia Killed In U.S. Air Strike

CAIRO [MENL] -- The U.S. military has assassinated Al Qaida's network
commander in Somalia.
In what capped more than a year-long effort, U.S. aircraft struck
and killed Aden Hashi Ayro, commander of the Al Qaida-aligned Al-Shabab,
the armed wing of the Council of Islamic Courts movement. The U.S. State
Department regards Al Shabab a terrorist organization.
Ayro's brother, another Al Qaida commander, and 11 others were killed
in the air strike on Thursday in the central Somali town of Dusamareeb.
Another top commander was identified as Muhidin Mohamud Omar. The United
States has not claimed responsibility.
The death of the Al Qaida commanders came as Al Shabab has expanded
operations in Somalia. After being driven out by the Ethiopian Army in
December 2006, Al Shabab has captured several Somali towns and seized
weapons from the nation's military.