Senior Islamic State leader killed in US raid in Somalia
Bilal al-Sudani, "a key operator and global facilitator for IS’ global network," died along with 10 companions in a firefight with US forces in a cave complex last night, Biden administration officials said.
A senior Islamic State (IS) leader was killed during a raid by US special operations forces in a cave complex in the mountains of northern Somalia on Wednesday night, Biden administration officials said.
Bilal al-Sudani, a former al-Shabaab operative, played a “key operational and financial role” in an IS funding network that supported the jihadist group’s franchises in Afghanistan and Africa, a senior administration official said Thursday.
Ten of Sudani’s associates were also killed in the raid, which US President Joe Biden authorized earlier this week on the recommendations of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and after consultation with top Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and top advisers about risks to US troops and civilians.
Senior White House national security officials were aware of Sudani’s location for several months, the official said, adding that Pentagon officials briefed President Biden and his top national security advisers last week as preparations reached a critical stage.
