Updated

A Somali intelligence official says a senior commander with the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab has been killed in a U.S. drone strike in southwestern Somalia.

The official told The Associated Press Thursday that the attack Wednesday night targeted a vehicle in which the al-Shabab commander, Ismael Jabhad, and three other fighters were traveling near the rebel-held town of Bardhere. The official insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

An al-Shabab official named Abu Mohammed confirmed the attack but gave no details.

The U.S. has carried out many airstrikes in Somalia targeting leaders of al-Shabab, which has ties with al-Qaida.

Al-Shabab is responsible for carrying out a series of deadly attacks on civilians, government troops and African Union forces across Somalia and in Kenya.