Somalia’s Defense Ministry announced Sunday that a senior al-Shabaab figure was killed in a targeted military operation in the country’s southwest.
The raid took place in Warta Eey Duure, 30 kilometres north of Hudur, the provincial capital of Bakool in South West state. Officials identified the slain militant as Abdullahi Abukar Ali, the group’s head of finance, accused of extorting funds and recruiting child soldiers.
The ministry described him as one of the most sought-after leaders in Bakool, operating for years under al-Shabaab’s shadowy grip. In a statement, it hailed the precision strike as a significant blow to the terror group’s operational network in the volatile region.
Hudur lies 374 kilometres from Mogadishu, a reminder of the vast distances Somali forces must cover in their fight against the insurgency. The Somali National Army, with support from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, has stepped up assaults on al-Shabaab in recent weeks.
Last Friday, over 100 militants were killed and several captured in a week-long offensive in Lower Shabelle, reclaiming the strategic town of Bariire. Bariire, located 73 kilometres southwest of the capital, has long been a key logistical and recruitment hub for the insurgents.
Al-Shabaab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, has fought to overthrow the Somali government for more than 16 years, using violence to enforce its control. Its attacks frequently target security forces, government officials and civilians, leaving a trail of destruction and fear across much of the country.
The latest killing underscores Somalia’s determination to dismantle the group’s leadership and weaken its hold on territories in the south and centre. For the war-weary nation, each victory against al-Shabaab brings a glimmer of hope, though the path to lasting peace remains perilous and uncertain.
