The Federal Government of Somalia has provided further details regarding a planned operation carried out by the Somali National Army—specifically the Danab Commandos—on 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-Shabab’s 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 “katiba” 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 “Amir of the Bay Region Battalion” within the group, and was responsible for leading armed militias coordinating the group’s activities in the region.
- Nuur Abdullahi Hashi (Sudaysi)
He was identified as the leader of Al-Shabab’s 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-Shabab’s explosive unit and operated within the group’s networks across the country.
Meanwhile, the government further added that the operation inflicted serious injuries on Ja’far Abu Hamza—whom Al-Shabab had appointed as the so-called “Governor of Bay region” —and Hassan Ibrahim, a member of the group’s extortion and illicit finance unit in the region.
The Somali Federal Government asserted that the operation dealt a significant blow to Al-Shabab’s 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 group’s capabilities and ensure the security and the stability in the country.
