Mogadishu (SONNA) – The Minister of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia, Mr. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, recently spoke to the national media and provided details on successive operations carried out by the Somali National Army in cooperation with international partners in regions of the country.
The minister first confirmed that a senior leader, Engineer Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Abuukar, known within the group (Engineer Ismail), who was the senior explosives expert for the Al-Shabaab terrorists, internal security and external operations was killed in an operation that took place in Jilib district in the Middle Juba region, where the militant group’s headquarters is located and where they provide training to suicide bombers. Engineer Ismail was being prepared to be the leader who will replace Ahmed Diriye.
The bombings carried out by Engineer Ismail included the Ceel-gaabta bombing against the president, the Jilacow cave attack, the explosion at Jaalle Siyaad College, the Zoobe bombing in 2017, the Hargaha and Samaha attacks, and many others that killed thousands of innocent civilians.
The second leader of this operation who was killed was Abdikarim Mohamed Hirsi Qoorleex. This man was a member of the terrorist branch responsible for the external sector and carried out terror operations in neighboring countries. Since this man was killed, the group has been in turmoil and widespread chaos, which threatens their existence.
The Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude to the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) for providing information on these leaders. The Minister also thanked the US government for its counter-terrorism operations.
On the other hand, the minister confirmed that an operation that took place last night in the Buulla-fuley area of Bay region killed 20 militants and destroyed the Andulus radio station that was used to mislead the people. On the other hand, the minister confirmed that government forces have besieged 500 terrorist militants in a place near Jabad Godane, who have called on the government to surrender, and if they do not surrender, the government will end them in the coming days.