The U.S. military confirmed on Monday that it killed a senior member in the Islamic terror group Al-Shabaab late last year.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike happened on December 24th in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia approximately 10km southwest of Quyno Barrow.

“The strike killed senior al-Shabaab leader, Mohamed Mire and another al-Shabaab [terrorist],” the statement said. “Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman, was responsible for al-Shabaab’s regional governance in Somalia for the last 15 years.”

AFRICOM said that the Mire played a key role in the terrorist group’s strategic decision-making.

AFRICOM said that specifics of the mission could not be released due to operational security concerns

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander, said that Al-Shabaab represented a “serious global threat” and that the U.S. would continue partnering “with like-minded nations in the region to combat them and other malign actors.”

UPDATE: On Dec. 24, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted a precision airstrike approximately 10km southwest of Quyno Barrow that resulted in the death of senior al-Shabaab leader, Mohamed Mire and another al-Shabaab militant.

— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) January 6, 2025

Voice of America News highlighted a statement from the Somali government that said 10 terrorists were killed in a strike coordinated with the U.S. government.

“Over 10 al-Shabaab terrorist militants were eliminated by our brave security forces with the help of @USAfricaCommand airstrikes, in Berhano village, approximately 35km from #Kismayo town,” the statement said. “Key terrorist outposts were destroyed during the operation, and no civilians were harmed.”