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US special operations forces kill key Islamic State leader in Somalia operation

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BNN Correspondents
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Officials said Thursday that US special forces killed a senior figure in the "Islamic State" (IS) group, Bilal al-Sudani, in remote northern Somalia.

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According to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, IS regional leader in #Somalia, Bilal al-Sudani, was a "key facilitator" for the group's global network.

According to a statement from Austin, "This action leaves the United States and its partners safer and more secure, and it reflects our steadfast commitment to protecting Americans from the threat of terrorism at home and abroad."

According to Austin, Joe Biden ordered the operation, which was carried out on Wednesday.

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Al-Sudani and ten other IS fighters were killed in a gunfight after US forces descended on a mountainous cave complex to capture him, according to US officials.

According to Austin, no civilians were injured or killed during the operation. According to reports, one American involved in the raid was injured after being bitten by a military dog.

According to reports citing US officials, al-Sudani was involved in recruiting and training fighters for the al-Qaida-linked group al-Shabab before joining IS.

He allegedly arranged funding for IS operations in Africa as well as the group's branch in Afghanistan, the Islamic-State Khorasan (IS-K).

Austin said, "Al-Sudani was responsible for fostering the growing presence of in Africa and for funding the group's operations worldwide, including in Afghanistan."

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