Mogadishu (AFP) - Somalia's government warned on Saturday that Al Shebab rebels in the country is planning a series of counterattacks after their leader was killed earlier this week confirmed the air strike the United States.
"Security agencies received information that suggests the Al Shebab is planning for attacks against medical facilities, educational centers and government facilities," said National Security Minister Kalif Ahmed ereg told reporters.
"Security forces ready to avenge their attacks and we urge people to help security forces to face violence," he said, adding, however, "we congratulate the people of Somalia" for the death of the leader of Al Shabaab, Ahmed Abdi Godane.
On Friday, the Pentagon confirmed that Godane, the leader of a group linked to Al Qaeda in Africa, was killed in an attack Monday.
Godane has been fighting to overthrow the country's government supported the international community, carried out a wave of bombings and assassinations.
Godane, 37 years old, reported practicing in Afghanistan with the Taliban. He has led the transformation of the group of local rebels became a regional guerrilla threat. Al Shebab melanmcarkan attacks in countries that contribute to the African Union force in Somalia fighting.
He claimed responsibility for the July 2010 bombings in Kampala, Uganda's capital city, which killed 74 people, and is also believed to have been the mastermind behind the attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, in September 2013 At least 67 people were killed in a four-day siege.
Meanwhile, the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta Saturday expressed gratitude to the United States for the killing of Godane, who is responsible for the massacre at the mall.
In a statement, President Kenyatta said the death of the leader of Al Shebab was "meneyediakan one small step closure" for the victims of the siege.
"A year ago this month, armed terrorists entered the Westgate mall and commit crimes in the territory of Kenya," Kenyatta said.
"Godane ... led the plan, and was responsible for the attack on Westgate. His death is a cruel memory that those who live by the sword will perish by the sword," he added, as quoted by AFP.
"We are indebted to the United States, and the soldiers, thank you profusely for an end to the career and Godane destruction, and ultimately allow us to begin the healing process," he said, which promised "to stand in solidarity with the victims row attack Westgate, because death gives closure of small steps. "
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