US raids in Africa tell al-Qaida itsleaders can’t hide, says Kerry
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US raids in Libya and Somalia that captured an Islamist wanted for bombing its Nairobi embassy 15 years ago show Washington’s determination to hunt down al-Qaida leaders around the globe, Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday.
Libyan Nazih al-Ragye, also known as Abu Anas al-Liby, was seized by US forces in Tripoli on Saturday, the Pentagon said.
Meanwhile, a seaborne raid on the Somali port of Barawe, a stronghold of the al-Shabaab movement behind last month’s attack on a Kenyan mall, failed to take or kill its target.
“We hope this makes clear that the United States of America will never stop in its effort to hold those accountable who conduct acts of terror,” Kerry said during a visit to Bali.
“Those members of al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations literally can run but they can’t hide,” Kerry said. “We will continue to try to bring people to justice.”
The twin raids, two years after a US Navy SEAL team killed al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, demonstrated American reach at a time when Islamist militants have been expanding their presence in Africa.
Libya’s government, wary of an Islamist backlash, demanded an explanation for the “kidnapping” of one of its citizens.
The target of the Somali operation was unclear but a US official was quoted as saying it was planned in response to the Nairobi mall attack two weeks ago in which at least 67 were killed.
That highlighted the risk of Somalia’s rumbling civil conflict destabilizing a resource-rich continent where Islamists have been on the rise in recent years.
Launched in the early hours of Saturday, the Somali raid appears to have featured a beach landing in hostile territory followed by an extended firefight. US officials said SEALs conducted the raid and had killed al-Shabaab fighters while taking no casualties themselves. Somali police said seven people were killed during the operation.
Asked of his involvement, Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon said: “We have collaboration with the world and with neighboring countries in the battle against al-Shabaab.”
In Tripoli, the seemingly bloodless operation to snatch Liby as he returned home from prayers at a mosque in the capital may have involved some cooperation with the friendly but weak Libyan administration — though the government, facing anger from Islamist militias, denied it.
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