Al Qaeda elder’s luck ran out

“But his killing was a victory for all Somali security forces,” he said.

Mr. Hassan provided details consistent with what officials later said happened, including the driver being shot in the hand and the discovery of $40,000 in the Toyota. Higher commanders declined to confirm Mr. Hassan’s story, saying his whole unit deserves credit.

Gus Selassie, an Africa analyst for the group IHS Global Insight, said it is significant that a Somali soldier, and not U.S. military forces, killed Mohammed.

Mr. Selassie said the Somali government, known as the Transitional Federal Government, is fighting to win legitimacy among Somali citizens.

“As such, the [government] forces are likely to be boosted by their killing of such a significant international operative, even if they were not initially aware of his identity,” he said.

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