Omar Hammami, American Born Jihadist, Reportedly Killed By Al-Shabaab

Omar Hammami, an American jihadi rebel, was reportedly killed in Somalia by members of his group after a falling out with its leader.

Hammami, originally from Daphne, Ala., had reportedly been an active member of al-Shabaab, an Islamic group of rebels trying to overturn the Somali government, since 2006. As a member of the group, Hammami adopted the name of Abu Mansoor al-Amriki and became one of al-Shabaab’s most visible members.

“He’s alleged to have made significant contributions to this terrorist organization’s military activites,” said Marie Harf, spokesperson for the State Department on Thursday.

Hammami made headlines with his recruiting videos and the rapping videos he posted on YouTube. He also expressed his loyalty to Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden and the State Department had issued a $5 million reward for information that could lead to his capture.

Recently, Hammami posted a video in which he said he feared for his life.

This is not the first time Hammami’s alleged death has been reported, and his family in the U.S. still have hope that this is another false report.

“Of course I hope not, I hope it’s not true. Our lives have been on a roller coaster for a long time, and we’ve been here before…we just hope that it’s not true this time,” Hammami’s father, Shafik Hammami, who has not been in contact with his son since 2006, told ABC News.

The current reports allege that Hammami was shot and killed by al-Shabaab in the southern Bay region of Somalia and ABC News reports that an African diplomat confirmed that the news is most likely true.

– Olivia Truffaut-Wong

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