Reports are coming out of Somalia that unknown ‘foreign soldiers and helicopters’ have attacked and killed al-Qaeda leader Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan. Nabhan is on the FBI’s wanted list and is a suspect in the 1998 bombing of two US embassies in East Africa, the attempted shooting down of an airliner in 2002, and the bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel.

Everyone’s first guess was that the French are responsible for the operation. The French military conducted a similar style of helicopter raid to rescue their citizens from pirates in 2008. However, France is denying any involvement.

The United States has a significant military presence off the coast of Somalia and in Djibouti. If France was not involved, then the United States military is most likely behind the attack. So, until someone tells me otherwise: a big thanks to our US servicemen on a job well done.

Update: ABC confirms my prediction, credits US commandos for the raid.

Posted by Christopher Albon in Foreign Policy

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• Cap’n Bill

  This is a significant indicator of the President’s willingness to go Full Bore with Special Operations when an exceptional opportunity is identified. Regardless of the many faults of this aadministration, this action is something to be proud of. WELL DONE to the entire chain of responsible persons.

• Old Air Force Sarge

  Don’t agree with much of what the man wants to do, didn’t vote for him, BUT gotta admit, this President has a pair.

• Byron

  Unless this was UNODIR…

• sid

  Seems like when we do anything in Africa, the French are ready to be elbow to elbow with us…Wouldn’t surprise me if it were some kind of joint op.

• Byron

  According to Lex, was SEALs and SOAR in AH-6 Little Birds.