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| Al-Qaeda Somalia suspect 'killed' | |
| (18 minutes later) | |
| US forces have "likely killed" a top al-Qaeda suspect during a US military raid in Somalia, a US official has told the BBC. | US forces have "likely killed" a top al-Qaeda suspect during a US military raid in Somalia, a US official has told the BBC. |
| The suspect, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, is wanted over 2002 attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in the Kenyan port of Mombassa. | The suspect, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, is wanted over 2002 attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in the Kenyan port of Mombassa. |
| He has been on the FBI's list of top suspects for years. | He has been on the FBI's list of top suspects for years. |
| The claim followed earlier reports that foreign troops had attacked Islamist militants in southern Somalia. | The claim followed earlier reports that foreign troops had attacked Islamist militants in southern Somalia. |
| Nabhan has been on a FBI wanted list for years | |
| A second US official said US special forces carried out the attack early on Monday Washington time. | A second US official said US special forces carried out the attack early on Monday Washington time. |
| The official said the operation had been "successful" and he believed Nabhan was dead. | The official said the operation had been "successful" and he believed Nabhan was dead. |
| The earlier reports said the troops wore uniforms with French insignia, and had attacked a vehicle carrying Islamists from the al-Shabab group. | The earlier reports said the troops wore uniforms with French insignia, and had attacked a vehicle carrying Islamists from the al-Shabab group. |
| A French military spokesman denied his country's forces were involved. | A French military spokesman denied his country's forces were involved. |
| The reason for the confusion over the identity of the troops was not immediately clear. | The reason for the confusion over the identity of the troops was not immediately clear. |
| 'Helicopter strike' | |
| Witnesses said the soldiers took away two men, and two bodies were left in the road after the attack in the southern coastal town of Barawe. | Witnesses said the soldiers took away two men, and two bodies were left in the road after the attack in the southern coastal town of Barawe. |
| FOREIGN FORCES IN SOMALIA December 2006 Ethiopia invades, helps topple militant Islamist group2007, 2008 US airstrikes against militants it claims are linked to al-QaedaApril 2008 French storm a yacht and capture pirates after ransom is paidOctober 2008 Nato launches anti-piracy operation off the coast of SomaliaJanuary 2009 Ethiopia withdraws its troopsApril 2009 Two pirates killed and four hostages freed by French commandos | |
| They said the attack had been carried out by helicopter. | |
| Reuters news agency cited a US official as saying special forces had flown by helicopter from a US navy ship and fired on a vehicle that they believed was carrying Nabhan. | |
| He added that the body believed to be Nabhan's had been taken into custody. | |
| Spanish news agency Efe and Reuters also reported witnesses and al-Shabab sources as saying the Kenyan-born Nabhan had been killed. | Spanish news agency Efe and Reuters also reported witnesses and al-Shabab sources as saying the Kenyan-born Nabhan had been killed. |
| Al-Shabab are said to have links to al-Qaeda, and to have been reinforced with foreign fighters. | |
| Kenyan-born Nabhan is suspected of bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya and a failed attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner in 2002. | |
| Some reports say he is also linked to two attacks on US embassies in the region in 1998. | |
| The US, which like France has troops stationed in neighbouring Djibouti, has carried out air strikes against Somali Islamist groups it accused of links to al-Qaeda in recent years. | |
| Monday's assault comes several weeks after a French security adviser held by militants in Mogadishu managed to get free. A colleague seized at the same time remains in captivity. | |
| Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991. | Somalia has not had a functioning central government since 1991. |
| Rival Islamist factions are battling forces loyal to the weak UN-backed government, which controls only small parts of the capital Mogadishu. | Rival Islamist factions are battling forces loyal to the weak UN-backed government, which controls only small parts of the capital Mogadishu. |