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.
Police officers take up positions outside of the Mayor's office where an ongoing gun battle erupted following a reported explosion, in Mogadishu, on January 22, 2023. (Photo by HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images)
olice officers take up positions outside of the Mayor's office where an ongoing gun battle erupted following a reported explosion, in Mogadishu, on January 22, 2023. (Photo by HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images) - HASSAN ALI ELMI/AFP via Getty Images
Jared Szuba headshot (new)
Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba

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.

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