US military says it has killed an Islamic State leader in northern Somalia. According to the Pentagon, it concerns Bilal al-Sudani, who finances attacks in Africa and beyond.

Defense Secretary Austin says Sudan was killed Wednesday in a special operation authorized by President Biden. The IS leader was hiding in a cave complex in the mountains.

Austin did not reveal any further details, however According to US media The operation was carried out by special forces using helicopters. The aim would have been to arrest Sudani, but once inside the cave complex there would have been a gunfight.

In addition to the Sudanese, the US said ten more IS fighters were killed. There would have been no American casualties. A soldier was injured after being bitten by his own army dog.

IS claims Sudan’s death He was wanted by the Americans for years. He came into the Finance Ministry’s picture as early as 2012, as he financed Al-Shabaab, the region’s main terror outfit.