But Will Not Confirm Reports Top Terrorist Was Killed

A Pentagon spokesman confirms US Central Command conducted a strike against a known al-Qaida target in Somalia Wednesday... but officials would not confirm news reports that the strike killed Aden Hashi Ayro, the head of al-Qaida in Somalia, nor the means used in the strike.

"When you have something like this, there is a certain amount of analysis that goes on," said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. "While you are conducting that analysis, you want to be careful not to provide any information that potentially could be of use to the enemy."

The strike was near Dusa Mareb, north of the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Various news reports state as many as four AC-130 gunships (shown above) were involved in the surgical attack.

Whitman said the strike is an example of US policy in the war on terror.

"We will pursue terrorists worldwide," he said. "The US is committed to identifying, locating, capturing and, if necessary, killing terrorists wherever they operate, train, plan their operations, or seek safe havens."

News reports said the strike killed between 8-12 people. US officials have no information that substantiates any civilians being killed or injured.

(ANN thanks Jim Garamone, American Forces Press Service)

FMI: www.defenselink.mil