Al- Shabab Leader Killed By US

The leader of the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed following a US attack earlier this week, the Pentagon has said.

The US carried out air strikes on Monday night destroying a vehicle and an encampment south of the capital.

Somalia's president issued a statement on Friday urging militants to embrace peace after the death of their leader.


Godane was one of the US state department's most wanted men.

It had placed a bounty of $7m (£4.2m) on his head.

Somali analyst Nuur Mohamud Sheekh told the BBC that Godane's death "will deal a major blow to the group.

"It will have an impact in terms of affecting the morale of the fighters on the ground but it is not the end of al-Shabab in the short or medium term."

He added there was no likely successor.

On Friday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed announced a 45-day amnesty for militants who are willing to renounce al-Shabab.

Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm John Kirby said the military action on 1 September had "led to his [Godane's] death".


Ahmed Abdi Godane:

• US put $7m (£4m) bounty placed on his head by US in 2012

• Pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda in 2009

• Became al-Shabab's top commander after US air strike killed his predecessor Aden Hashi Ayro in 2008 

• Sentenced to death in absentia for 2008 attack in Somaliland's capital, Hargeisa

• Studied in Sudan and Pakistan, where he became radicalised

• Said to have fought in Afghanistan

• Was reputed to be a good orator and poet

• Also known as Mukhtar Abu Zubair