Somali Army Kills Senior Al Shabab Leader in Precision Airstrike

The Somali National Army, supported by international partners, killed senior Al Shabab leader Mohamud Abdi Hamud, also known as Jacfar Gurey, in a precision airstrike in Bu'aale, Middle Jubba. Gurey, a founding member and intelligence chief of the al-Qaeda-linked group, played a key role in its violent operations and financing. The operation highlights ongoing coordinated efforts to combat Al Shabab and enhance security in Somalia.

The Somali National Army (SNA), with the backing of international security partners, conducted a precision airstrike in Bu'aale town, located in the Middle Jubba region of Somalia, successfully eliminating a senior Al Shabab leader, the Somali Defence Ministry confirmed on Monday. The deceased militant has been identified as Mohamud Abdi Hamud, widely known as Jacfar Gurey, who was a founding member of the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization and served as the group’s intelligence chief.

According to a statement released by the Defence Ministry, Gurey was deeply involved in orchestrating Al Shabab’s violent operations and managing its financial networks. Over the years, he held several high-ranking positions within the group, including head of external security, head of leadership security, and head of intelligence tracking. Each of these roles placed him at the center of the organization’s espionage efforts, operational planning, and targeted assassinations, making him one of the most influential figures within the militant network.

The government also highlighted that Gurey, alongside the group’s former leader Ahmed Abdi Godane, had previously extorted funds from an Ethiopian company. These funds were later channeled to support the establishment and expansion of Al Shabab’s operations. This illustrates the financial sophistication and cross-border reach of the group under Gurey’s leadership.

The successful airstrike reflects “strong coordination and unity of purpose between the Federal Government of Somalia and its international partners in the ongoing fight against Al Shabab,” the ministry said, emphasizing that the operation aims to enhance security, stability, and lasting peace for the Somali population.

Since July, Somali forces, with the assistance of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international allies, have intensified military operations targeting Al Shabab in southern and central Somalia. These efforts are part of a broader campaign to dismantle the group’s operational capabilities and protect civilians from repeated attacks.

Al Shabab has been waging terrorism against the Somali government for over 16 years, frequently carrying out attacks targeting security personnel, government officials, and civilians. Despite sustained military pressure, the group continues to pose a significant threat to national security, underscoring the importance of coordinated counterterrorism measures between Somali authorities and their international partners.

The elimination of Jacfar Gurey marks a significant blow to Al Shabab’s leadership structure and is expected to disrupt the group’s operations, intelligence-gathering, and financial networks in the near term. Somali authorities have pledged to continue targeting key figures within the organization to weaken its influence and restore peace and stability across the country.