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Al-Qaeda Somalia suspect 'killed' Al-Qaeda Somalia suspect 'killed'
(about 2 hours later)
US forces are "likely" to have killed a top al-Qaeda suspect during a military raid in Somalia, US officials say.US forces are "likely" to have killed a top al-Qaeda suspect during a military raid in Somalia, US officials say.
They flew helicopters into Somalia and attacked a car they say was carrying Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.They flew helicopters into Somalia and attacked a car they say was carrying Kenyan-born Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan.
US agents have been hunting Nabhan for years over attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in Kenya in 2002.US agents have been hunting Nabhan for years over attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in Kenya in 2002.
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.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.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan, in the capital Mogadishu, says the raid has raised concern among Somalis.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan, in the capital Mogadishu, says the raid has raised concern among Somalis.
They fear such attacks by foreign forces may help to fuel the extremism they are designed to combat, our correspondent says.They fear such attacks by foreign forces may help to fuel the extremism they are designed to combat, our correspondent says.
The US last launched a major strike in Somalia in May 2008, reportedly killing al-Shabab's military leader and at least 10 others.The US last launched a major strike in Somalia in May 2008, reportedly killing al-Shabab's military leader and at least 10 others.
The raid led to protests by villagers and critics say it had little effect on al-Shabab's capabilities.The raid led to protests by villagers and critics say it had little effect on al-Shabab's capabilities.
French connection?French connection?
Analysts say Nabhan is one of the most senior leaders of al-Qaeda's East Africa cell.Analysts say Nabhan is one of the most senior leaders of al-Qaeda's East Africa cell.
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.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.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.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.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.But the French military strongly denied their forces were involved.
'Helicopter strike''Helicopter strike'
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.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 commandos US ACTION IN SOMALIA 1992-1994 Sends troops in under UN humanitarian force, gets drawn into clan conflict3-4 October 1993 Fights brutal battle in Mogadishu - 18 US troops and hundreds of Somalis killed, US helicopters shot down25 March 1994 Pulls all troops out of Mogadishu2006-2009 Reportedly supports invading Ethiopian troops fighting IslamistsJanuary 2007 Carries out air strikes targeting al-Qaeda suspects 1 May 2008Air strike kills al-Shabab military commander Aden Hashi Ayro
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.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.
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.
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.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.
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 and France both have troops stationed in neighbouring Djibouti.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.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.Al-Shabab are said to have links to al-Qaeda, and to have been reinforced with foreign fighters.