A member of the Somali Islamic extremist group al-Shabab and a Somali government intelligence official say a military strike, possibly a drone attack, killed at least two senior al-Shabab rebels.

The al-Shabab member, who gave his name as Abu Mohamed, said one of those killed was al-Shabab's top explosives expert, known as Anta. He said a drone targeted a car carrying al-Shabab rebels in Somalia's Middle Juba region.

A Somali intelligence official in Mogadishu said the attack occurred as al-Shabab members went to intervene in a clan dispute. The official insisted on anonymity because he is not authorized to share intelligence.

Earlier this month, United States Navy SEALS attacked a coastal Somali town to take down a Kenyan al-Shabab member. The SEALs withdrew before capturing or killing their target.