Abdi Sheikh and Feisal Omar1 hour ago
MOGADISHU (Reuters) - A U.S.-born Islamist militant on Washington's most wanted list was killed in a gunbattle in Somalia on Thursday, witnesses said, after he fell out with the al Shabaab rebel group's top commander.
Residents in al Baate village in southern Somalia said Alabama-born Omar Hammami, commonly known as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki or "the American", and a British national known as Usama al-Britani were shot dead in a dawn raid on their hideout.
Hammami's killing exposed the rifts in al Shabaab's top ranks as the group affiliated to al Qaeda grapples with an African Union-led military offensive that has captured key cities from the militants, depriving them of revenues.
"This morning al-Amriki and his comrades were attacked by well armed fighters," said village resident Hussein Nur. "After a brief fight al-Amriki and his two colleagues were killed. Several of their guards escaped."
A shopkeeper from the rebel-controlled village heard al Shabaab fighters confirm the deaths and said the militants had closed off the area where Hammami was gunned down.
There was no immediate proof of Hammami's death from al Shabaab.
Hammami's father, Shafik Hammami of Daphne, Alabama, told Reuters he learned of his son's death when he woke up to read the news online. Speaking softly, he said his love for his son was unconditional and hoped he was still alive.
"I read on the Web that the FBI has not confirmed it yet, so I am hoping and praying it is not true," Shafik Hammami said, adding he has not seen or talked to his son since Omar left for Somalia in 2006.
Sooo, who gets the $5M reward?
ReplyDeleteHow ironic, was listed yday with 4 other American jihadists for a total of $21M reward.
Great, we saved a hellfire for later use.
Karma's a beech.
If they would just all kill each other it would save us a lot of trouble.
DeleteMick,
DeleteThat's just about the most conservative thing I've ever heard you say.
Mick.......Is someone posting using your name ?
DeleteSorry just joking,but that statement is somewhat different from your usual.
lol, Mick gets his first +456/bbl award.
DeleteJust telling it like it is.
DeleteYep, saw that. What a DF.
ReplyDeleteThe rebels on the other hand, don't want to face a barrage of hellfire missiles. Kill the target, and their problem goes away.
It was just a matter of time anyway. At some point, he would have been accused of being a by and his head sawed off while he was alive. He should be thankful he was killed in a firefight.
If I read correctly, he failed to follow strict doctrine, ie, he and a few others were not in the fold with strict Sharia.
DeleteI don't think that's true.
DeleteThis article is a good read. Personally, I think he was gay. It's from 2010 and has a detailed timeline.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/magazine/31Jihadist-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
I recall that article from when first posted. Interesting to again review, near adulation. My comment above was based on another article and my understanding was that his demise based on his (and others) differences, however slight, with the group that ultimately killed him. It doesn't require much to ignite a zealot(s).
DeleteHere is an interesting side note from Al Jazzerra:
ReplyDeleteFluent in Somali, Hammami swiftly became an influential leader of al-Shabaab's foreign fighters, battling to topple a
government seen as a Western puppet and impose a strict interpretation of Sharia law on Somalia.
He gained fame for posting YouTube videos of English-language rap songs he hoped could recruit young fighters.
He first expressed fear for his life in a web video in March 2012 that publicised his rift with al-Shabaab. He said he received another death threat earlier this year that was not carried out.
"Just been shot in neck by Shabab assassin. not critical yet,'' Hammami tweeted in April.
He later wrote on Twitter that the leader of al-Shabaab was sending in forces from multiple directions.
Hammami had been a thorn in the side of al-Shabaab after accusing the group's leaders of living extravagant lifestyles with the taxes fighters collect from Somali residents.
Another Hammami grievance was that the Somali leaders had sidelined foreign members of al-Shabaab.
Hammami was added to the FBI's Most Wanted Terror list in November 2012 and a $5m bounty was offered for information leading to his capture.