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Foreign troops launch Somali raid US targets suspect in Somali raid
(about 6 hours later)
Foreign soldiers have staged an attack on militants in Somalia, killing at least two people in a helicopter raid. 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 troops, who according to some reports had uniforms with French insignia, attacked a vehicle carrying Islamists from the al-Shabab group. The suspect, Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, is wanted over 2002 attacks on a hotel and an Israeli airliner in the Kenyan port of Mombassa.
Witnesses said the soldiers took away two men, and there were two bodies left in the road after the attack in the southern coastal town of Barawe. He has been on the FBI's list of top suspects for years.
A French military spokesman denied its forces were involved. The claim followed earlier reports that foreign troops had attacked Islamist militants in southern Somalia.
"There was no French operation," said admiral Christophe Prazuck, spokesman for the armed forces' general staff. A second US official said US special forces carried out the attack early on Monday Washington time.
He said the only French forces in the area were tackling pirates off the coast and did not intervene on land. The official said the operation had been "successful" and he believed Nabhan was dead.
'Burning vehicle'
Unconfirmed reports claim that top al-Qaeda suspect Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan was killed in the attack.
Reuters and Spanish news agency Efe reported witnesses and al-Shabab sources as saying Kenyan-born Nabhan - who has been on the FBI's most-wanted list for years - was killed.
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
He is suspected of bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya and attempting to shoot down an airliner in 2002, and two attacks on US embassies in the region in 1998. The earlier reports said the troops wore uniforms with French insignia, and had attacked a vehicle carrying Islamists from the al-Shabab group.
A village elder told the AFP news agency that four foreign helicopters had been involved in the Barawe raid. A French military spokesman denied his country's forces were involved.
"We heard the explosion and saw two helicopters flying over us," said Mohamed Ali Aden, a bus driver who drove past the burnt-out car minutes after the attack. The reason for the confusion over the identity of the troops was not immediately clear.
"There was only a burning vehicle and two dead bodies lying beside." 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.
Neither Somali government nor Islamist forces have helicopters. Spanish news agency Efe and Reuters also reported witnesses and al-Shabab sources as saying the Kenyan-born Nabhan had been killed.
French commandos have launched raids in the past to rescue their citizens from pirates or militants. There is a French military base in neighbouring Djibouti. Nabhan is suspected of bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Kenya and attempting to shoot down an airliner in 2002, as well as two attacks on US embassies in the region in 1998.
The 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.
The US has also carried out air strikes against Somali Islamist groups it accused of links to al-Qaeda in recent years. It too has troops stationed in Djibouti.
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.