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Somali al-Shabab Militants Kill Two Founders


Al-Shabab militants have killed two leaders and co-founders of the Somali-based Islamic extremist group.

An al-Shabab spokesman says the two were killed about 10 days ago after resisting arrest.

The two dead men are Ibrahim Haji Jama Mead and Abul Hamid Hashi Olhayi. The United States had offered a $5 million reward for Jama Mead's capture.

Al-Shabab has been split into rival factions marked by strong disagreements.

The al-Qaida-linked group has been fighting to turn Somalia into a Muslim state ruled by strict Islamic law. Somali and African Union forces have pushed al-Shabab out of most areas it had controlled.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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