Shabaab fighters claimed to have killed two of their senior commanders: Abul Hamid Hashi Olhayi, a co-founder of the group; and Ibrahim Haji Jama Mead, a.k.a. al Afghani, who is wanted by the US. Top Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane allegedly ordered the arrest of al Afghani and a number of other commanders earlier this month. Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys, another senior Shabaab leader who is wanted by the US, fled the infighting and was flown to Mogadishu; it is unclear whether he surrendered or defected. The government is willing to discuss options with Aweys if he renounces violence.
