Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) says it has killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander accused of overseeing the group’s mortar attacks and roadside bomb operations during a security operation in the Basra area of the Middle Shabelle region. The operation, conducted on the outskirts of Basra, also resulted in the deaths of seven other suspected militants, according to the agency.
Wararka Soomaaliya
In a statement released on Saturday, NISA said the operation targeted what it described as a militant gathering point along the riverbank in Basra after intelligence indicated that senior members of the armed group were meeting at the location.
The agency identified the slain commander as Ahmed Eybka Aalim, also known by the alias Daqare, alleging that he headed Al-Shabaab units responsible for planting explosive devices and coordinating attacks using 107mm mortars.
“NISA conducted a planned operation on the outskirts of Basra in the Middle Shabelle region, killing eight conspirators, including leaders, who belonged to the mine and mortar attack units,” the agency said in its statement.
Faahfaahinta
It added that the operation specifically targeted senior operatives believed to have played key roles in planning attacks against civilians, government institutions and security forces.
According to the intelligence agency, Ahmed Eybka Aalim was considered one of the group’s senior field commanders in charge of coordinating mortar attacks while also supervising operatives responsible for laying roadside bombs in several parts of the country.
NISA said preliminary intelligence gathered after the raid suggested that surviving members of Al-Shabaab later returned to the site, removed the bodies of those killed and buried them at a separate undisclosed location.
Saamaynta
The agency described the operation as a significant setback for the militant network operating in Middle Shabelle, saying it disrupted an important command structure responsible for planning indirect fire attacks and the use of improvised explosive devices.
Independent verification of the casualties or the identity of those killed was not immediately available, and Al-Shabaab had not publicly commented on the claims at the time of publication.
Security analysts say Middle Shabelle remains one of the regions where government forces continue to face persistent attacks despite sustained military pressure on the extremist group. The area has witnessed repeated operations involving Somali security agencies, supported in some instances by local community fighters and international partners.
Wararka.so waxay kuu soo tebineysaa wararka ugu dambeeyey ee Soomaaliya iyo caalamka. Si aad ula socoto wararkii ugu dambeeyey, booqo boggayaga.
