Mogadishu: Somalia`s government warned Saturday that the country`s al Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels were planning a wave of retaliatory attacks after it was confirmed their leader was killed earlier this week in a US air strike.

"Security agencies have obtained information indicating that al Shebab is now planning to carry out desperate attacks against medical facilities, education centres and other government facilities. The security forces are ready to counter their attacks and we call on people to help the security forces in standing against violent acts," National Security Minister Kalif Ahmed Ereg told reporters.