The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced that a planned operation in the Kuunyo Barrow area of the Lower Shabelle region resulted in the killing of Faysal Yuusuf Macallin Cabdulle—also known as Cabdikariin Horseed or Gaagaale—whom the agency described as a senior official within Al-Shabaab’s financial network.
In a press release, NISA stated that the operation, which took place on the 23rd of this month, was carried out by Somali intelligence forces in coordination with international partners.
According to the statement, Faysal Yuusuf previously served as the group’s overall head of finance and, at the time of his death, was a close associate of Al-Shabaab’s senior leadership.
NISA noted that Faysal joined the group in 2007 while working at a shop in Mogadishu’s Bakara Market. Between 2007 and 2011, the agency stated, he managed the group’s finance department for the Banadir region, specifically overseeing the collection of extortion money from the public. The press release added that between 2011 and 2014, Faysal served as the group’s head of accounts, before assuming the role of head of finance in 2014—a position he held until 2024.
According to NISA, Faysal handed over the finance portfolio to Abdullahi Hassan Abdi Osoble, known as Abdullahi Wadaad. The agency stated that Abdullahi Wadaad was killed during an operation in the Kuunyo Barrow area on January 23, 2026.
NISA noted that the successive elimination of these two officials—both of whom held leadership roles in the group’s financial wing—deals a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s leadership and its financial networks.
The Somali intelligence agency affirmed that it will continue operations targeting the group’s senior leadership and the financial networks that fund attacks—attacks which the agency described as being directed against the Somali people.
