Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somali National Army (SNA) forces have killed several Al-Shabaab militants, including senior leaders, in a recent military operation in the Bay region. Officials confirmed that among those killed was Abu Khalid, also known as Yahye, who served as Al-Shabaab’s finance leader in the Bay region, along with his unnamed deputy and several of their armed guards.
The operation took place on Thursday in several villages, including Buul Dooro, Kor Ing Roogi, Dhambalka, and Buur Rooring, all located within Deynuunay district of Bay. The offensive was part of a broader campaign by Somali forces to drive the extremist group out of its remaining strongholds in southern Somalia.
Commander Ali Mohamed Adan, also known as Ali Adoow, who leads the 8th Brigade of the SNA’s 60th Division, said the military had received intelligence on the militants’ presence in those areas and acted swiftly to neutralize them. “These operations are part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to eradicate Al-Shabaab from the entire country, particularly in the Bay region,” Commander Ali Adoow told state media.
The commander added that the mission was carefully coordinated to target key figures responsible for financing and organizing Al-Shabaab’s local operations. The loss of their regional finance leader, he said, dealt a significant blow to the group’s ability to fund and sustain attacks in the area. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire during the raids but said the situation later calmed as Somali forces secured the villages.
This operation comes amid intensified efforts by the Somali government to weaken Al-Shabaab’s influence and restore peace in central and southern parts of the country. Defense Minister Ahmed Macalin Fiqi recently announced that more than 800 Al-Shabaab fighters, including around 50 senior leaders, have been killed over the past year in nationwide counterterrorism operations. These missions have also targeted ISIS militants operating in isolated pockets of Somalia.
Minister Fiqi said the government has now launched a new phase of its military campaign focused on dismantling Al-Shabaab’s command and supply networks. This phase emphasizes consolidating control in areas that were recently recaptured and ensuring that the militants do not regain a foothold. “The government’s priority is not only to liberate territories but to stabilize them through effective governance, security, and public services,” the minister said earlier this week.
Over the years, Al-Shabaab has remained one of the most resilient insurgent movements in the region, carrying out deadly attacks on civilians, security forces, and government institutions. However, Somali authorities say the group is gradually losing ground as coordinated military and intelligence operations intensify, supported by local communities and regional allies.
In the Bay region, which has long been considered a strategic stronghold for Al-Shabaab, Somali forces have ramped up operations aimed at flushing out remaining fighters. Thursday’s successful mission marks another step in weakening the militant group’s regional leadership and cutting off its sources of funding and coordination.
Officials say the military will continue its operations in the coming weeks to ensure that the cleared areas remain under government control. The federal government has also called on residents in liberated areas to cooperate with security forces and report any militant activity to help sustain peace and stability.