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| Al-Shabab names new leader after Godane death in US strike | Al-Shabab names new leader after Godane death in US strike |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Somalia's Islamist group al-Shabab has named Ahmad Umar as successor to former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a US air strike. | Somalia's Islamist group al-Shabab has named Ahmad Umar as successor to former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed in a US air strike. |
| The group announced the move in an online statement, vowing to take revenge for Godane's death. | The group announced the move in an online statement, vowing to take revenge for Godane's death. |
| Somalia's authorities earlier put the country on alert for possible retaliatory attacks by al-Shabab. | Somalia's authorities earlier put the country on alert for possible retaliatory attacks by al-Shabab. |
| The alert came as the US confirmed the death of Godane in air strikes south of Mogadishu on Monday night. | The alert came as the US confirmed the death of Godane in air strikes south of Mogadishu on Monday night. |
| 'Bitter consequences' | 'Bitter consequences' |
| Little is known about Ahmad Umar, who is also known as Abu Ubaidah. | Little is known about Ahmad Umar, who is also known as Abu Ubaidah. |
| Abu Mohammed, one of al-Shabab's commanders, said the decision to appoint him was unanimous. | Abu Mohammed, one of al-Shabab's commanders, said the decision to appoint him was unanimous. |
| In a statement, al-Shabab also warned: "Avenging the death of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes." | In a statement, al-Shabab also warned: "Avenging the death of our scholars and leaders is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget no matter how long it takes." |
| "By the permission of Allah, you will surely taste the bitter consequences of your actions." | "By the permission of Allah, you will surely taste the bitter consequences of your actions." |
| The announcement of the new leader came just minutes after al-Shabab themselves confirmed the death of Godane. | The announcement of the new leader came just minutes after al-Shabab themselves confirmed the death of Godane. |
| Earlier on Saturday, Somali National Security Minister Kalif Ahmed Ereg told reporters: "Security agencies have obtained information indicating that al-Shabab is now planning to carry out desperate attacks against medical facilities, education centres and other government facilities." | |
| Mr Ereg "congratulated the Somali people" on Godane's death, adding: "The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts." | Mr Ereg "congratulated the Somali people" on Godane's death, adding: "The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts." |
| Ahmed Abdi Godane: | Ahmed Abdi Godane: |
| Ahmed Abdi Godane profile | Ahmed Abdi Godane profile |
| Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a statement on Friday urging militants to embrace peace after the death of their leader. | Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a statement on Friday urging militants to embrace peace after the death of their leader. |
| He announced a 45-day amnesty for militants who were willing to renounce the group. | He announced a 45-day amnesty for militants who were willing to renounce the group. |
| Godane was one of the US state department's most wanted men. | Godane was one of the US state department's most wanted men. |
| It had placed a bounty of $7m (£4.2m) on his head. | It had placed a bounty of $7m (£4.2m) on his head. |
| The US has supported the African Union (AU) force that has driven al-Shabab out of the capital Mogadishu and other towns since 2011. | The US has supported the African Union (AU) force that has driven al-Shabab out of the capital Mogadishu and other towns since 2011. |
| The al-Qaeda-linked fighters want to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government and frequently attack government targets as well as neighbouring countries that provide troops to the AU force. | The al-Qaeda-linked fighters want to overthrow the UN-backed Somali government and frequently attack government targets as well as neighbouring countries that provide troops to the AU force. |
| The al-Shabab leader had publicly claimed the group's responsibility for the deadly Westgate shopping centre attack in Kenya in September last year. | The al-Shabab leader had publicly claimed the group's responsibility for the deadly Westgate shopping centre attack in Kenya in September last year. |