American forces used a drone to target and kill a member of al-Shabaab tied to the West Gate mall attack in 2013, and likely nab two other militants.

American forces used a drone to target and kill a member of al-Shabaab tied to the West Gate mall attack in 2013, and likely nab two other militants. Lubold's story: "An American drone killed Adan Garar, described by defense officials as a member of al-Shabaab's intelligence and security wing, in Dinsoor, in south-central Somalia, on March 12.

Defense officials, in a statement: "He posed a major threat to the region and the international community and was connected to the West Gate Mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya… His death has dealt another significant blow to the al Shabab terrorist organization in Somalia."

Pentagon officials would not say if any other militants were targeted in the strike or if it had caused any civilian casualties. But J. Peter Pham, director of the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, citing conversations he had had with Somali officials as early as last week, said two other militants had been killed in the drone attack. That couldn't be immediately confirmed by U.S. officials.

Garar was not very well known but in fact was considered "a major Shabab player," Pham said, and "one of their more skilled operatives." He had participated in attacks outside Somalia, including in Uganda and Kenya, Pham said." Read the rest here.

In Libya, Ansar al-Sharia releases photos of its graduates of "mujahideen training camps." Long War Journal's Bill Roggio, here.