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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

On July 30, 2017, at approximately 3 p.m. Somalia local time, the Department of Defense conducted a successful kinetic strike near Tortoroow in southern Somalia, killing al-Shabaab’s Ali Muhammad Hussein, known as Ali Jabal.  There were no civilian casualties from this strike.  The U.S. conducted this operation in coordination with its regional partners as a direct response to al-Shabaab actions, including recent attacks on Somali forces.

Ali Jabal, a senior al-Shabaab terrorist, was responsible for leading al-Shabaab forces operating in the Mogadishu and Banadiir regions in planning and executing attacks against the capital of Mogadishu. He used the Lower Shabelle Region of Somalia, a known al-Shabaab safe haven, as a hub for these activities.

In recent months, al-Shabaab militants were known to have conducted suicide car bombings and assassinations targeting police, governmental and military leaders in the capital. Al-Shabaab militants were also known to have conducted numerous attacks against the Somali National Army and African Union Mission in Somalia members in the region. His removal disrupts al-Shabaab's ability to plan and conduct attacks in Mogadishu and coordinate efforts between Al-Shabaab regional commanders.

We continue to work in coordination with our Somali partners and allies to systematically dismantle al-Shabaab, and help achieve stability and security throughout the region.

This strike was conducted within the parameters of the proposal approved by the President in March 2017, which allows the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct lethal action against al-Shabaab within a geographically-defined area of active hostilities in support of partner forces in Somalia.