US airstrike kills founding member of al-Shabab, Yusuf Jiis

The United States announced it has killed a founding member of the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, Yusuf Jiis, in an airstrike in Somalia carried out on April 2.

The US Africa Command said in a press release Tuesday that its post-strike assessments confirm that one of the three terrorists killed in the command’s Apr. 2 precision airstrike was a long-standing, high-ranking leader in the al-Shabaab terrorist organization.

The terrorist, Yusuf Jiis, was one of the foundational members of the terrorist group and held many significant positions that facilitated al-Shabaab’s violent and harmful activities throughout East Africa, AFRICOM commander Gen Stephen Townsend said.

“This individual was a key leader in the al-Shabaab organization…He was violent, ruthless, and responsible for the loss of many innocent lives,” Townsend said.

Al-Shabab, which controls parts of central and southern Somalia, frequently carries out attacks in the capital, Mogadishu.

A number of powerful Somali militants have been killed in US air attacks. However, every time a jihadist is killed, another one seems to be waiting in the wings.

Al-Shabab maintains an ability to strike targets and control territory.

Gen Townsend said that the US considered pausing its operations in Somalia because of coronavirus, however, as the leaders of al-Qaida, al-Shabaab and ISIS have announced that they see this crisis as an opportunity to further their terrorist agenda, AFRICOM will continue the fight against terrorists and support African partners

Rights groups say they have evidence that several civilians have been killed in the US attacks in Somlaia.