Pentagon confirms strike on Al-Qaeda leader in Somalia

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The Pentagon confirmed Thursday a US military attack against an Al-Qaeda military leader in Somalia but declined to identify him.

"The US Central Command has conducted an attack against a known Al-Qaeda target and militia leader in Somalia," spokesman for the Defense Department's Central Command, Lieutenant Joe Holstead, told AFP.

"Until we have an opportunity to analyze the strike, we don't want to reveal any information," said Holstead, who would not even disclose whether an airstrike had been launched.

Reports from Mogadishu said the US strike Thursday killed at least 10 people, including Al-Qaeda's military leader Moalim Aden Hashi Ayro.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the attack should serve as warning to Islamist...