MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) -- A U.S. airstrike in Somalia has killed the head of that nation's branch of al-Qaida.

The military confirms he was the target and an insurgent group confirms he was killed. Aden Hashi Ayro died when the airstrike hit his house about 300 miles north of Mogadishu.

Somali government officials say the leader had trained in Afghanistan before the September 11th attacks.

Another top extremist was among nearly a dozen people reported killed in today's attack. A local resident who was near the strike describes the bodies as burned beyond recognition.

An Islamic militia spokesman refers to the slain terrorist as "our brother martyr," telling The Associated Press by phone that he "received what he was looking for: death for the sake of Allah at the hands of the United States."

The U.S. has targeted several suspected extremists in Somalia over the past year.