The Chief of Intelligence and Security for the Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab was killed in a U.S. drone attack on Monday, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday.
Tahliil Abdishakur died after his vehicle was hit by Hellfire missiles while in the vicinity of Saakow, Somalia, Reuters reported.
In a statement posted on Twitter by Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary said, "We can confirm that Tahliil Abdishakur, chief of al-Shabab's intelligence and security wing, was killed in a U.S. air strike in Somalia on 29 December."
Abdishakur was responsible for the militant group's external operations, the Pentagon said in a statement, adding that "his death will significantly impact al-Shabab's ability to conduct attacks against the government of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the Somali people and U.S. allies and interests."
According to Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency, Abdishakur was the leader of al-Shabab's Amniyat unit, which is thought to have carried out a number of suicide attacks in Somalia's capital, Modadishu.
Abdishakur was described by a U.S. security official as a "key operational figure" and "senior leader," but it was difficult to determine how his death would affect the group in the long-term, Reuters reported.
Another U.S. official said despite the recent death of several leaders in the group, al-Shabab remains "resilient."
One other militant was also killed in the strike, which officials said resulted in no civilian deaths.
Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi, al-Shabab former chief of intelligence, who had a $3 million bounty out for his capture, turned himself in to Somali authorities last week.
A strike was conducted against the group in September which resulted in the death of the al-Shabab's main leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, reported The New York Times.
