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Local defense forces in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region have killed a senior Al-Shabab commander and several of his bodyguards in an ambush near Mahaday town, officials confirmed on Saturday. The operation took place in the villages of Ciid Ciidka and Jeembilow, around 20 kilometers north of Mahaday, an area where the militant group has long maintained a presence.
According to local sources, the slain commander, identified as Muhudin Hassan, had been in charge of Al-Shabab’s operations in several rural communities. He was reportedly responsible for organizing extortion and intimidation campaigns that targeted local residents and traders. Officials said his death marks a significant blow to the group’s command structure in Middle Shabelle, where government-aligned militias have intensified efforts to reclaim territory.
Community fighters, known locally as Ma’awisley, said they carried out the surprise attack that killed Muhudin and his armed guards. During the raid, they seized two AK-47 rifles and other military equipment from the militants. The fighters said the operation was part of a growing campaign by local militias to drive Al-Shabab out of their villages and restore peace to the region.
Middle Shabelle has become a major focus in Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabab, as federal and local forces work together to weaken the militant group’s influence. The latest ambush follows a series of targeted operations across southern Somalia aimed at eliminating senior Al-Shabab figures. Just last week, a founding member of the group was reportedly killed in a drone strike in the same region during a joint operation between Somali forces and international partners.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has repeatedly emphasized the importance of securing Middle Shabelle, describing it as a “strategically vital” region for the country’s stability. During a visit to the frontlines in March 2025, he noted that controlling the main supply corridor between Mogadishu and Beledweyne would be crucial for restoring national security. “If we secure this corridor, we secure the heartbeat of the country,” the president said at the time.
Regional officials praised Saturday’s operation as a sign of growing coordination between government troops and local defense groups. “These local operations are making a difference,” one officer told reporters. “The community fighters know the terrain and the people, and they’re helping us track down Al-Shabab hideouts.” Officials say such collaborations have led to more effective counterattacks and improved intelligence-sharing between federal and community forces.
While Al-Shabab has not yet commented on the reported deaths, the group has a history of retaliating against villages that cooperate with the government or provide information to security agencies. Locals have expressed concern about possible revenge attacks but remain committed to supporting the ongoing campaign to clear the militants from the region.
Authorities say operations will continue until all remaining Al-Shabab cells in Middle Shabelle are dismantled. The region is seen as a critical front in Somalia’s broader effort to defeat the extremist network, which continues to threaten peace and development across central and southern Somalia. Despite the risks, local militias and federal troops remain determined to maintain the momentum against the group and restore stability to the area.