Al-Shabab founder behind Kenya attacks killed in an airstrike in Somalia by US forces

The United States has killed the founding member of the militant Islamist group al-Shabab, Yusuf Jiis, in an airstrike in Somalia.

The commander of US Africa Command, Gen Stephen Townsend, described Jiis as a brutal, ruthless killer who plotted against United States Interest in East Africa and had a hand in hijacking ships in the Indian Ocean.

The US has significantly increased attacks in Somalia since US President Donald Trump took office.

The USA says it will not relent on killing militants in Somalia.

A number of powerful Somali militants have been killed in US air attacks.

There has been no word from al-shabab.