An airstrike Tuesday in southern Afghanistan reportedly resulted in the death of a senior al Qaeda leader, Mullah Mohammad Ali.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense told local media that Ali was killed in a drone strike Tuesday afternoon that took place in the Shah Joy district of Zabul province.
The Pentagon acknowledged in a statement that U.S. forces conducted a counterterrorism strike in the region on Tuesday, but said operational security reasons prevented the military from commenting further.
According to Afghan media, the Ministry of Defense described Ali as a top commander for the terrorist network who was responsible for the deaths of dozens of civilians and militants alike.
The U.S. conducted 19 counterterrorism strikes during the month of April, Brigadier General Charles H. Cleveland told Fox News, following roughly 100 strikes during the first three months of 2016. Those strikes largely targeted individuals believed to be involved with the Islamic State terror group, Brig. Gen. Cleveland said, but included attacks waged against al Qaeda members as well.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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