The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that Ahmed Godane, a founder of the al Shabaab Islamist group, was killed in a US air strike in Somalia this week, calling it a "major symbolic and operational loss" for the al Qaeda-affiliated organisation.

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"We have confirmed that Ahmed Godane, the co-founder of al Shabaab, has been killed," Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement.

The death of Ahmed Abdi Godane is "a major symbolic and operational loss to the largest al Qaeda affiliate in Africa and reflects years of painstaking work by our intelligence, military and law enforcement professionals," the White House said in a statement.

"In September 2013, Godane publicly claimed al Shabaab was responsible for the Westgate Mall attack, which killed and injured dozens in Nairobi, Kenya," the presidential statement continued, reeling off a list of attacks and bombings attributed to al Shabaab under Godan's leadership.

As reports of the US missile strike spread, the commander of African Union troops in Somalia said Thursday the continent would celebrate if the death of the chief of extremist al Shabaab rebels was true.

General Silas Ntigurirwa, commander of the 22,000-strong AU force (AMISOM), said the killing of Godane – if confirmed – would be a "proud and happy moment for all Africa".

Al Shabaab are fighting to topple Somalia's internationally-backed government and regularly launch attacks against state targets, as well as in neighbouring countries that contribute to an African Union force.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP, REUTERS)

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