Following a joint military operation carried out between 10th and 13th August 2016 in Saakow, Middle Jubba in southern Somalia, top leadership including Shura Council of the Al Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab reportedly killed and others captured alive.
U.S. Special Forces (SF) backed Somali Special Commandos (Danab) operation in which several high ranking commanders were killed alongside 30 other fighters who had converged in militant’s safe-house and their high value Forward Operating Base -FOB in Saakow for a meeting.
The operation targeted Al-Shabaab leaders including top leader Abu Ubeidah aka Diriye.
Military intelligence reports from Somalia hinted that Abu Ubeidah was among the killed or was captured alive. Reports however, confirmed three Ubeidah’s deputies were among the top commanders killed in the joint operations.
A deputy leader of Al-Shabaab identified as Abu Omar and two other foreign fighters were captured alive in raid.
The top leadership of the Al-Shabaab known as the Shura Council reportedly was in the meeting when Saakow FOB was struck.
U.S. Department of State is yet to issue an official statement (Press Release) on the Saakow military operation.
U.S. has been instrumental in war against Al-Shabaab. Through coordianted air raids from Kenya, U.S. has targeted Al-Shabaab top leadership notably the killing of Godane in Barawe in drone strike.
