MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) – A senior commander and other members of the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab have been killed in a U.S. drone strike in southwestern Somalia, Somali and U.S. officials and a militant commander said Thursday.

The attack Wednesday night near the rebel-held town of Bardhere was an operation planned by U.S. and African Union forces, according to a U.S. official who insisted on anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press. The joint force was moving toward the town when rebels advanced on them, he said. A U.S. drone fired on the rebels killing and wounding a number of them, he said.

One of those killed was al-Shabab commander Ismael Jabhad, a Somali intelligence official told The Associated Press. 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.