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Air raid 'kills Somali militants' Air raid 'kills Somali militants'
(30 minutes later)
The leader of the military wing of an Islamist insurgent organisation in Somalia has been killed in an air strike, reports say.The leader of the military wing of an Islamist insurgent organisation in Somalia has been killed in an air strike, reports say.
Aden Hashi Ayro, al-Shabab's top commander, died when his home in the central town of Dusamareb was bombed.Aden Hashi Ayro, al-Shabab's top commander, died when his home in the central town of Dusamareb was bombed.
Eight other people, including a senior militant, are also reported dead.Eight other people, including a senior militant, are also reported dead.
Al-Shabab, considered a terrorist group by the US, is the military wing of the Somali Sharia courts movement ousted by Ethiopian troops in 2006.Al-Shabab, considered a terrorist group by the US, is the military wing of the Somali Sharia courts movement ousted by Ethiopian troops in 2006.
The group is in effect in control of large parts of central and southern Somalia.The group is in effect in control of large parts of central and southern Somalia.
'Infidel planes''Infidel planes'
An al-Shabab spokesman, Mukhtar Robow Adumansur, told the BBC that Ayro was killed in the attack, along with his brother.An al-Shabab spokesman, Mukhtar Robow Adumansur, told the BBC that Ayro was killed in the attack, along with his brother.
Locals said the attacks happened at about 0300 (2400 GMT).Locals said the attacks happened at about 0300 (2400 GMT).
Profile: Somalia's Islamic 'lads'Q&A: Somali conflict "We heard a huge explosion and when we ran out of our house we saw balls of smoke and flames coming out of house," Nur Geele told the BBC.Profile: Somalia's Islamic 'lads'Q&A: Somali conflict "We heard a huge explosion and when we ran out of our house we saw balls of smoke and flames coming out of house," Nur Geele told the BBC.
The house was totally destroyed to the ground, also other houses nearby," local elder Ahmed Mumin Jama said.The house was totally destroyed to the ground, also other houses nearby," local elder Ahmed Mumin Jama said.
Ayro was believed to have received training in Afghanistan in the 1990s, and was instrumental in the coming to prominence of the Islamic Courts which took control of Mogadishu in the second half of 2006, says the head of the BBC's Somali Service Yusuf Garad.
Residents said the air strike was carried out by US planes, but there has been no confirmation of this.Residents said the air strike was carried out by US planes, but there has been no confirmation of this.
The US says al-Shabab is part of the al-Qaeda network, although correspondents say it is impossible to accurately establish those links.The US says al-Shabab is part of the al-Qaeda network, although correspondents say it is impossible to accurately establish those links.
In its annual report on terrorism published on Wednesday, the US said al-Shabab militants in Somalia, along with al-Qaeda militants in east Africa, posed "the most serious threat to American and allied interests in the region".In its annual report on terrorism published on Wednesday, the US said al-Shabab militants in Somalia, along with al-Qaeda militants in east Africa, posed "the most serious threat to American and allied interests in the region".
Al-Shabab has been at the forefront of a guerrilla insurgency against the government and its Ethiopian allies since early 2007.Al-Shabab has been at the forefront of a guerrilla insurgency against the government and its Ethiopian allies since early 2007.
In recent weeks, they have briefly captured several towns in central and southern Somalia before withdrawing.In recent weeks, they have briefly captured several towns in central and southern Somalia before withdrawing.
The US has launched several air strikes against suspected extremist targets in Somalia in recent months.The US has launched several air strikes against suspected extremist targets in Somalia in recent months.