Somali Forces Kill Senior Al-Shabaab Commander in Mudug Operation

GOOBJOOG NEWS | HARARDHERE: Somali government forces, backed by allied clan militia, killed three Al-Shabaab militants in a coordinated operation on Monday in the Aalim area of Jowle district, near Harardhere town in central Mudug.

District Commissioner Aseyr Ibrahim Mataan confirmed the raid, stating that the joint forces destroyed militant hideouts and seized a number of weapons.

“The bodies of the militants, including senior operatives, were recovered,” Mataan said, noting the strategic significance of the operation.

Among those killed was Mohamed Ali Gaaguf, identified as the Al-Shabaab commander responsible for the Jowle area. Authorities said he played a key role in orchestrating the group’s activities in the region.

In addition, the forces captured Hared Abdi Ali, a former local fighter who defected to Al-Shabaab eight months ago. His arrest is expected to provide critical intelligence to support ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

The operation is part of a broader campaign by the Somali National Army to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s presence across central and southern Somalia.

Backed by local communities and international partners, Somali forces have intensified military offensives to weaken the group’s grip on rural territories and disrupt its ability to carry out attacks.

Al-Shabaab, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and several countries, continues to wage a violent insurgency. However, recent offensives have led to the liberation of multiple areas and the killing or capture of key operatives.