

One of the FBI's most wanted terrorists, Alabama-born Omar Shafik Hammami, has been killed in a shootout with fellow al-Shabab militants, according to reports by the Associated Press and Agence France-Press.





Known as Abu Mansoor al-Amriki or "the American," Hammami was one of the most prominent foreign fighters in Somalia. He quickly moved up the ranks when he moved to the country in 2006, making propaganda recordings and rap videos in English to try and recruit other Westerners, according to the LA Times.

The FBI offered a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture or conviction in any country. The FBI says he allegedly provided material support to terrorists as early as 2006, and on Dec. 13, 2007, a federal warrant was issued by the United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama, for his arrest.











Harun Maruf, Senior Editor for the Voice of America Somali Service, interviewed Hammami last week about his falling out with the leadership of al-Shabab and tweeted excerpts today after learning of Hammami's death.

In my interview with #Hammami last week he told me that al-#Shabab leader Abu Zubayr wanted him dead because he has "secrets" about him. — Harun Maruf (@harunmaruf) September 12, 2013









Maruf also interviewed Hammami's father after learning of the militant's death.





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#Hammami's father Shafik on VOA: "I was shocked and of course did not believe it, because we’ve been through this before many times. 1/2 — Harun Maruf (@harunmaruf) September 12, 2013







#Hammami's father Shafik on @VOA_Somali: And I was hoping and praying this would be like the news in the past and would not be true.” — Harun Maruf (@harunmaruf) September 12, 2013











