The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in coordination with international partners, has carried out a successful operation near Saakow district in the Middle Juba region, killing a senior Al-Shabaab commander, Mohamed Sahal Idle, also known as Abu Osama.
The operation took place on the 8th of this month. Abu Osama was one of the closest associates of Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Diriye (Abu Ubaidah) and was being groomed to replace the group’s finance chief, Abdullahi Wadaad. Wadaad was killed on January 23 in a separate joint operation by NISA and international partners in the Kuunyo Barrow area of Lower Shabelle.
Abu Osama played a central role in Al-Shabaab’s extortion and looting network targeting Somali civilians. At the time of his death, he was directly involved in the collection of illegal taxes forcibly imposed on local residents.
According to security officials, the slain commander previously held several senior positions within the militant group, including:
- Al-Shabaab regional commander for Lower Shabelle
- Head of civilian extortion monitoring
- Member of the group’s so-called Shura Council
- Head of the misinformation division
- Port commander of Kismayo
- Overall commander of Kismayo during the period the group controlled the city
The Somali government says the operation is part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure and cut off its financial lifelines, reaffirming its commitment to protecting civilians and restoring security across the country.
