A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) airstrike in Somalia has recently killed al-Shabaab deputy commander, Mahad Mohammed Karatey alias Mahat Karatey said to be behind the El Adde attack on Jan. 15.
Karatey, who was also the head of Alamnyat, Al-Shabaab’s intelligence wing, was killed together with 10 middle level commanders and 42 recruits in the airstrike on Nadaris camp.
The military spokesman Colonel David Obonyo on Thursday said Mr Karatey had gone to the camp to preside over the passing out of an estimated 80 Alamnyat recruits, who had completed their training and were due for deployment to carry out more terrorist attacks.
“It is confirmed that 42 recruits were also killed while many others sustained injuries,” Colonel Obonyo said.
The military said it was believed that Mr Karatey played a major role in the recent attack on KDF troops in El-Adde by deployment of suicide bombers.
On January 15, the Al-Shabaab attacked KDF camp in El-Adde, Somalia killing unknown number of soldiers.
The Alamnyat is the Al-Shabaab’s intelligence wing that comprises of suicide bombers, assassins, explosive experts and information gatherers.
The killing of the overall commander is said to be a major blow to the terrorist group.
