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Al-Qaeda Somalia suspect 'killed' Al-Qaeda Somalia suspect 'killed'
(about 1 hour 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 military raid in Somalia, US officials say.
The suspect, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, is wanted over 2002 attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in the Kenyan port of Mombassa. They flew helicopters into Somalia and attacked a car they say was carrying Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.
He has been on the FBI's list of top suspects for years. US agents have been hunting Nabhan for years over attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in Kenya in 2002.
The claim followed earlier reports that foreign troops had attacked Islamist militants in southern Somalia. It is believed he fled to Somalia after the attacks and was working with the al-Shabab group, which the Americans see as al-Qaeda's proxy in Somalia.
A second US official said US special forces carried out the attack early on Monday Washington time. The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan, in the capital Mogadishu, says the raid has raised concern among Somalis.
The official said the operation had been "successful" and he believed Nabhan was dead. They fear such attacks by foreign forces may help to fuel the extremism they are designed to combat, our correspondent says.
The earlier reports said the troops wore uniforms with French insignia, and had attacked a vehicle carrying Islamists from the al-Shabab group. French connection?
A French military spokesman denied his country's forces were involved. Analysts say Nabhan is one of the most senior leaders of al-Qaeda's East Africa cell.
The reason for the confusion over the identity of the troops was not immediately clear. US-based Somalia expert Andre le Sage told the BBC's Network Africa programme that his death, if confirmed, would severely hamper the network's ability to operate in the region.
Various media outlets have carried quotes from unnamed US officials confirming that the raid, on Monday afternoon, was carried out by US special forces targeting Nabhan.
A Somali minister told the BBC he also believed Nabhan had been killed.
Earlier reports had quoted witnesses as saying the troops wore uniforms with French insignia and had flown from a ship bearing a French flag.
But the French military strongly denied their forces were involved.
'Helicopter strike''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. Somali sources told the BBC that six helicopters were involved in the attack on two vehicles in the southern coastal town of Barawe, which is controlled by al-Shabab.
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 commandosFOREIGN 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
Somali sources have told the BBC that six helicopters were involved in the attack on two vehicles. A US official was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying special forces had flown by helicopter from a US Navy ship and fired on a vehicle that they believed was carrying Nabhan.
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.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. Nabhan is suspected of bombing an Israeli-owned hotel in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa, and trying to shoot down an Israeli airliner in 2002.
Al-Shabab are said to have links to al-Qaeda, and to have been reinforced with foreign fighters.
Nabhan is suspected of bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya and a failed attempt to shoot down an Israeli airliner in 2002.
The authorities in Kenya also regard him as a suspect in two attacks on US embassies in the region in 1998.The authorities in Kenya also regard him as a suspect in 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. The US and France both have troops stationed in neighbouring Djibouti.
During 2007 and 2008 the US carried out air strikes against Somali Islamist groups it accused of links to al-Qaeda - though this year such attacks have tailed off.
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.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.
Al-Shabab are said to have links to al-Qaeda, and to have been reinforced with foreign fighters.