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Sahal Iskudhuq knew or was connected to Al-Shabaab's top leader, Ahmed Abdi Godane. (Aljazeera America, 2014) Ahmed was also known as Mukhat Abu Zabir. (Horadam, 2011) He is a senior leader of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. He was also "one of the original founders of the group." (Horadam, 2011) The Al-Shabaab has now successfully completed 550 terrorist attacks since 2006 when they first formed together. Within these attacks 1,600 people have been killed, and 2,100 people were wounded between 2007 and 2012. The Al-Shabaab now has control over most parts of Somalia including all of the southern and central regions. The Al-Shabaab still remains one of the most capable forces in Southern Somalia. They are part of Al-Qaeda's national network and still remain to attack villages throughout Somalia. (Abwao, 2014)
Sahal Iskudhuq ,who was killed in the bombing on January 26th, 2014, had links with Al-Shabaab leaders and was part of the Amniat group. (Roggio, 2014) This group is called the National Directorate of Security (NDS).
I soon learned that this dead man was a highly disliked commander of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group.
A group who we as citizens had been trying to fight off for years. This man was connected to the head leader of the Al-Shabaab and Al-Qaeda forces. I would never forget that sight I saw of his car being hit by a bomb as he was driving through our village and planning an attack that was soon to come."
Cited Sources:
AEI CRITICAL THREATS- Horadam, N. (2011, November 14). Iran Tracker. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthreats.org/somalia/al-shabaab-leadership/ahmed-abdi-godane-mukhtar-abu-zubair-november-14-2011
AFRIQUEJET ACTUALITES- Abwao, K. (2014, January 13). AfriqueJet Actualités. Retrieved from http://www.afriquejet.com/news/239-security-al-shabaab-changes-tactics-in-readiness-for-protracted-war.html
ALJAZEERA AMERICA- T. (2014, January 26). Retrieved from http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/1/26/somali-militant-killedinmissileattack.html
Recently on January 26th of this year, the U.S. military, who are set up in Somalia helping fight the Al-Shabaab terrorist group who has been controlling the southern and central part of Somalia since 2006. (BBC News Africa, 2013) The U.S. military carried out a missile strike in southern Somalia in the village of Hawai, targeting part of the Al-Shabaab terrorist group. Sahal Iskudhuq, a commander who was close with Al-Shabaab's top leader, was killed along with is driver while traveling through the village of Hawai on January 26th, 2014. (Aljazeera America, 2014)
Sahal Iskudhuq, friends with a leader?