Mohamed Kuno said killed in US forces’ pre-dawn missile attack
Mohammed Kuno aka Gamadheere. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
The 2am attack, which took place at Juungal area between Baardheere and Buur Hajje, was as a result of US increased fight against terrorism.
Interior Ministry Spokesperson Mwenda Njoka previously said the bodies of the two had been collected from the scene for forensic identification.
Kenyan security sources said Thursday that the Kenyan Al-Shabaab commander behind the Garissa University attack had been killed in a drone-delivered missile strike by American forces in Somalia.
Mohamed Kuno alias Gamadheere, the mastermind of the April 2 Garissa attack, was in charge of external operations against Kenya.
Initial reports claimed he was killed together with another top commander identified as Ismael Jabhad.
Update 5pm Thursday: Kenyan Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka has sent out the following message via Twitter: “Clarification: The 2am drone strike killed over 30 terrorists, including one JAMAA ADHERE, but he isn't the GAMADHEERE of Garissa varsity attack.”
Njoka had earlier said said the bodies of the two commanders had been collected from the scene for forensic identification.
The 2am attack, which took place at Juungal area between Baardheere and Buur Hajje, was as a result of US increased fight against terrorism in the region.
A Somali intelligence official told The Associated Press Thursday that the attack Wednesday night targeted a vehicle in which Jabhad, and three other fighters were traveling. The official insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
An Al-Shabaab official named Abu Mohammed confirmed the attack but gave no details.
Kuno is a former teacher in Garissa and had been named as the mastermind of the attack that claimed 148 lives.
He was first brought to the attention of Kenyans by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on December 17, last year.
A Sh20 million bounty had been put on his head.
There has been huge and unprecedented involvement of the US security agents, prompted by President Obama’s visit to Kenya in next week.
Already, at least 11 terror suspects, two from Dadaab refugee camp, have been arrested in the last four days but details about their whereabouts remain scanty.
