The US has said its military forces have carried out an operation against al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab fighters in Somalia.

"We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate," said spokesman John Kirby on Monday.

A senior Somali intelligence official said a US drone targeted al-Shabab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane as he left a meeting of the group's top leaders, according to the AP news agency.