The mastermind behind the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya, has been killed by a U.S. drone strike, Pentagon officials confirmed Wednesday.
Adan Garar, a leader of al-Shabaab, was killed Thursday near Diinsoor, Somalia when the unmanned aircraft struck a vehicle in which Garar was riding.
“Garar was a key operative responsible for coordinating al-Shabaab’s external operations, which target U.S. persons and other Western interests in order to further al-Qaida’s goals and objectives,” the Defense Department statement said. “His death has dealt another significant blow to the al-Shabaab terrorist organization in Somalia.”
Garar was suspected of being a leader in planning the massacre at the upscale shopping mall in Nairobi in September 2013. Almost 70 people died during the four-day conflict.
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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