MOGADISHU: Somalia’s president on Friday thanked the United States for killing the leader of the country’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab militants in an air strike earlier this week.

“The Somali government thanks the US government and individuals in the Somali security forces who helped the operation,” said a statement from the office of Somalia’s internationally-backed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

“After cooperation between the Somali and the American government during this week, the American forces targeted a convoy transporting the Al-Shebab terrorist group leader Ahmed Abdi Godane and some of his coworkers,” the statement said.

“We are confirming that no one in that convoy survived the attack.”

The president called on Shebab fighters to lay down their arms, offering a 45-day amnesty.

“One of the main pillars of the Somali war has gone, so there is no reason for Somalia’s youth to continue with a war when its day are numbered,” the statement said.

He said the government “is willing to offer amnesty to Al-Shebab members who reject violence and renounce their links to Al-Shebab and Al-Qaeda – but for the next 45 days only.”

“While an extreme hardcore may fight over the (new) leadership of Al-Shebab, this is a chance for the majority of members to change course and reject Godane’s decision to make them the pawns of an international terror campaign,” the president said.

There was no immediate comment from the Shebab, who throughout the week have refused to confirm or deny reports of Godance’s death. – AFP

Kasmaal.information center
/Mogadishu/Somalia