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Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), working closely with international partners, has announced the killing of a senior Al-Shabaab commander who was behind an assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier this year. The militant, identified as Mohamed Abdi Dhiblaawe Afrah, was taken down in a joint security operation in Ugunji, a town in the Lower Shabelle region. Afrah was not only a key figure within Al-Shabaab but also a man who operated under multiple identities, including Khalid Dheere, Khalid Dacas, Macallin Siciid, Timo-jilac, and Mohamed Sahal. Authorities described him as a dangerous mastermind whose operations had led to the deaths and injuries of countless Somalis, both government officials and ordinary civilians.
According to NISA, Afrah was directly linked to a series of deadly attacks, particularly the March 18 bombing at Ceel-gaabta junction in Mogadishu. That explosion targeted President Mohamud’s convoy as he made his way to the airport. While the president survived unharmed, the bombing was a chilling reminder of Al-Shabaab’s determination to target the country’s leadership. Officials confirmed that Afrah played the central role in orchestrating the attack and had been under close surveillance ever since. “He was directly involved in the planning and execution of ambushes and explosive devices, and he had been on our radar since March. His elimination is a major success for Somalia’s security forces,” NISA said in a statement.
The March 18 incident was particularly significant because it marked the first direct attempt on President Mohamud’s life since 2014. During his first term, militants bombed a hotel where he was delivering a speech, an attack that highlighted the constant dangers faced by Somalia’s top officials. This year’s assassination attempt was another reminder of how deeply entrenched Al-Shabaab remains, despite ongoing military campaigns against it. At the time of the March bombing, President Mohamud was heading to Mogadishu’s airport to board a flight to Adan Yabal district in Middle Shabelle, where Somali government forces were engaged in fierce fighting with Al-Shabaab militants. His trip was meant to boost morale and oversee the progress of operations aimed at driving out the group from key areas.
Al-Shabaab has been waging war in Somalia for more than 15 years. The group seeks to overthrow the federal government and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Over the years, it has carried out numerous high-profile attacks, from suicide bombings to armed ambushes, targeting government officials, security forces, civilians, and even international partners stationed in the country. Despite sustained efforts by Somali forces, backed by regional allies and international partners, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a serious threat to Somalia’s security and stability.
The elimination of Afrah is being hailed as a victory in the ongoing war against terrorism. Officials believe his death will weaken the group’s ability to organize and execute complex attacks in the capital and beyond. However, analysts warn that Al-Shabaab remains resilient, with a wide network of fighters and resources that allow it to regroup after setbacks. Still, NISA’s operation demonstrates that Somalia’s intelligence and security services are growing increasingly capable of identifying and neutralizing high-value targets within the group. For the Somali people, the news offers a moment of relief and a sign that the fight against extremism, though far from over, is making progress.
The killing of Afrah also sends a strong message to Al-Shabaab leaders that they are being watched and tracked, no matter how many names or disguises they use. For many Somalis who have suffered under the group’s violence, this operation represents justice for the lives lost in senseless attacks. As Somalia continues to strengthen its institutions and rebuild after decades of conflict, such victories are crucial steps in reclaiming peace and stability for the nation.