Senior Al-Shabaab Commander Killed in NISA Operation in Hiiraan

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BELETWEYNE: Somali intelligence agents backed by international partners have killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander in a targeted operation in Hiiraan region, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced on Wednesday.

The raid took place in the village of Show, where NISA forces tracked and eliminated Hussein Abdullahi Dalab, known by the alias “Amir.” He was identified as the head of Al-Shabaab’s Amniyat – the group’s intelligence and assassination wing in Hirshabelle state.

According to NISA, Amir was directly involved in multiple terror attacks in central Somalia that left scores of civilians and government officials dead. The agency said his death marks a significant blow to the group’s network in the region.

“This operation is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorist leaders and weaken Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity,” NISA said in its statement, adding that such missions would continue in coordination with Somalia’s international security partners.

Hiiraan has in recent months become a frontline in the fight against Al-Shabaab, with Somali government forces and allied local militias carrying out sustained offensives against the militants. The campaigns have forced the group from several key villages, although it continues to stage deadly ambushes and bombings.

Al-Shabaab has not yet commented on the reported killing of its commander in Hiiraan.