The Federal Government of Somalia has provided further details regarding a planned operation carried out by the Somali National Armyโspecifically the Danab Commandosโon September, 4, 2026, in the Buula-Fulaay area of the Bay region, which resulted in the successful elimination of 14 members of Al-Shabab militia.
According to the government, those killed in the operation included five commanders and nine of their bodyguards.
The Commanders who were killed were:-
- Bishar Mohamed Mukhtar (Sheikh Bishar)
The government stated that he had long been a member of what they term Al-Shababโs judicial office, and at the time of his killing, he held the position of judge for Gedo region within the group. He had previously held similar roles in the Bay and Lower Shabelle regions.
- Ali Nuur Mohamed Idiris
He is identified as a commander within what the group refers as a โkatibaโ and as one of the officers who led Al-Shabab militias in the Bay region.
The government further disclosed that he was involved in organizing and carrying out attacks in the city of Baidoa.
- Hussein Hassan Dahir (Lahelow)
The government revealed that he held the title of โAmir of the Bay Region Battalionโ within the group, and was responsible for leading armed militias coordinating the groupโs activities in the region.
- Nuur Abdullahi Hashi (Sudaysi)
He was identified as the leader of Al-Shababโs explosives operations in the Bay region, responsible for units tasked with preparing and deploying explosive devices.
- Omar Hassan Hussein
The government stated that he was a member of Al-Shababโs explosive unit and operated within the groupโs networks across the country.
Meanwhile, the government further added that the operation inflicted serious injuries on Jaโfar Abu Hamzaโwhom Al-Shabab had appointed as the so-called โGovernor of Bay regionโ —and Hassan Ibrahim, a member of the groupโs extortion and illicit finance unit in the region.
The Somali Federal Government asserted that the operation dealt a significant blow to Al-Shababโs leadership, organizational capacity, and explosive networks in the Bay region.
The Somali National Army also further highlighted that it would continue targeted operations against Al-Shabab commanders and militants to weaken the groupโs capabilities and ensure the security and the stability in the country.
