Somalia’s Defense Minister, Mr. Ahmed Ma’alin Fiqi, provided further details on a planned airstrike that took place in Adan Yabaal district, targeting senior Al-Shabab leaders who were holding a meeting. In a press conference held in Mogadishu on Wednesday, the defense minister further disclosed that the airstrike which targeted a place known as “Villa Adan Yabaal”. He asserted that senior Al-Shabab leaders were present and were planning to carry out operations and attacks against civilians and security forces. The defense minister went on to say that the meeting was presided over by Mr. Yusuf Isse Kabakutukade, in which the Somali government described him as the head of Al-Shabab militants responsible for Middle Shabelle province.
He officially announced that Mr. Yusuf Isse Kabakutukade suffered catastrophic injuries in the airstrike. In addition, the defense minister stated that several Al-Shabab leaders were successfully eliminated including individuals in charge of intelligence, security, finance and Al-Shabab’s clan relations. According to Minister Fiqi, those successfully eliminated in the airstrike include Ma’alin Arab—-the head of Al-Shabab’s intelligence in Galguduud province, Sheikh Abdullahi Mohamed Aw-Jiilab—acting head of Al-Shabab group in Adan Yabaal District, Ma’alin Sakariye—- head of Al-Shabab’s security in Hiiraan region, Sultan Ali Muse—-was responsible for the group’s relations with clans, and other senior officers from Al-Shabab’s various wings.
Meanwhile, the defense minister further said that four vehicles were successfully destroyed including combat ones. Conversely, he stated that some of Al-Shabab’s leaders suffered catastrophic injuries including Mr. Yusuf Isse Kabakutukade, and other senior Al-Shabab leadership members in Middle Shabelle province. Minister Fiqi further added that intelligence reports played a significant role in the successful execution of the airstrike. He further pledged that the Somali Federal Government will continue to target senior Al-Shabab leaders who are planning to carry out attacks and explosions. The minister said speaking about the operations, “There is no place where terrorist leaders plotting against the Somali people can be safe.” The operations come at a time when government security forces and local defense forces are conducting operations against Al-Shabab that are ongoing in several regions in Central and South Somalia.
