Somalia is on alert for retaliatory attacks by the Islamist group al-Shabab, officials say, after the group’s leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, 37, was killed in a US air strike. National Security Minister Kalif Ahmed Ereg said the country faced “desperate attacks” on government facilities. The US confirmed the death of Godane in air strikes on Monday night that hit a vehicle and camp south of Mogadishu.
Al-Shabab has not named a successor or even acknowledged Godane’s death. Ereg told reporters: “Security agencies have obtained information indicating that al-Shabab is now planning to carry out desperate attacks against medical facilities, education centres and other government facilities.”
Ereg “congratulated the Somali people” on Godane’s death, adding: “The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts.”
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud issued a statement on Friday urging militants to embrace peace after the death of their leader.
He announced a 45-day amnesty for militants who were willing to renounce the group. Godane was one of the US state department’s most wanted men.
It had placed a bounty of $7m (£4.2m) on his head. There are few indications of who may be named to replace Godane. The US has supported the African Union (AU) force that has driven al-Shabab out of the capital Mogadishu and other towns since 2011.