Senior al-Qaeda terrorists killed in Somalia

An air strike in southern Somalia has killed two senior commanders of the militant Islamist group, al-Shabab, which is the main al-Qaeda linked group in East Africa.

The strike destroyed the vehicle the militants were travelling in between the towns of Jilib and Barawe, seen as a major base of al-Shabab.

The US launched a failed raid in Barawe earlier this month to capture an al-Shabab commander.

Residents of Jilib, some 120km north of the port of Kismayo, said it was probably a drone attack that killed the al-Shabab commanders.

One of those killed was al-Shabab's top explosives expert, also known as Anta, a member of the group told the Associated Press.

At least 67 people were killed last month when al-Shabab fighters seized the Westgate shopping centre in Kenya's capital, Nairobi.

US commandos raided Barawe after the attack, but had to retreat after meeting heavy resistance.

Al-Shabab has been driven out of several major towns and cities in southern Somalia but it still controls many rural areas.