US air strike: Al Shabaab vows to avenge leader’s killing

Al Shabaab, the Islamic extremist group operating in Somalia has vowed to avenge the killing of their former leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane, who was killed by a US air strike on Monday. The attack took place 105 miles south of Mogadishu, where al-Shabaab trains its fighters.

The sect, according to rebel commander Abu Mohammed, at a meeting in an undisclosed location in Somalia, has also named a new leader in the person of Ahmad Umar, also known as Abu Ubaidah.

"Avenging the death of our scholars and leader is a binding obligation on our shoulders that we will never relinquish nor forget, no matter how long it takes," said al-Shabaab in a statement.

The sect also stated that they were still affiliated to al-Qaeda. There had been speculation that it would be shaken by a power struggle over the selection of a new leader and that perhaps the Somali rebels would change alliance and become allied to the Islamic State group.

Somalia's government said that it has credible intelligence al-Shabaab is planning attacks in retaliation for Godane's death.

In a televised speech, General Khalif Ahmed Ereg, Somalia's national security minister, said possible targets include medical and educational institutions. Ereg said the government is vigilant and its armed forces are prepared to prevent such attacks.

The killing of Godane was a "delightful victory", said Ereg. He called on militants still fighting for al-Shabaab to surrender to get a "brighter" life from the government.

Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta, has also thanked the US for killing Godane, saying his death provides "a small measure of closure" for victims of the Westgate Mall attack. Kenyatta's nephew and his fiancée died in that attack.

Godane, who used a number of other aliases, led the planning and was responsible for the perpetration of the attack on Westgate, Kenyatta said.

His words: "We owe the United States, and its soldiers, our heartfelt thanks for bringing an end to Godane's career of death and destruction; and finally allowing us to begin our healing. His death is a stark reminder that those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword," Kenyatta said.