Reports have emerged detailing an operation by Kenya's Special Forces that killed Al Shabaab's Deputy Commander and Intelligence Chief.
Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahim Mohamed Warsame, was killed alongside 52 other militants on February 8, by a contigent of Elite soldiers deployed around the militia's camp that is located between Buale and Sukow areas, Southern Somalia.
Special Forces snipers are said to have been camouflaging around the enemy's base while communicating with their colleagues from the air force.
It is reported that the elite unit took positions hours to the assault, which began with airstrikes that scattered Al Shabaab survivors.
It is then that the snipers took them down including Karate who was at the time being whisked away by his bodyguards.
Last week, Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) confirmed the deadly operation, stating that a few injured militiamen escaped with multiple injuries.
“Karate 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 terrorist attacks, " KDF Spokesperson David Obonyo confirmed.
Other reports indicate that the Special Forces captured alive one intelligence militiaman.
Read More: KDF Kills Al Shabaab Commander In His Ceremony
KDF delayed the news on Karate's death until forensics confirmed positive identity of the militia groups' key leader and other middle level commanders.
In a bid to end speculation on Karate, Al Shabaab first denied that it's Intelligence Chief had been neutralised, but later verified his death through a video honouring the commander.
The raid by KDF is seen as a retaliatory action following the January 15 attack by Al Shabaab on it's base at El Adde in Gedo, where the military suffered heavy casualties.
