A senior Al-Shabaab leader, Yusuf Dhegnaas, was killed in a targeted airstrike in the El Ba’ad area of the Middle Shabelle region on March 5, Somali officials confirmed. The operation, carried out by Somali forces with international support, is part of ongoing efforts to weaken the militant group.
The airstrike hit a meeting of Al-Shabaab commanders, including Dhegnaas, in the late afternoon. Abukar Mohamed, a spokesperson for the Somali Ministry of Defense, confirmed that the strike successfully eliminated the leader and several other militants. “We are pleased to announce that a key Al-Shabaab figure, Yusuf Dhegnaas, was killed in this operation, along with other senior members,” Mohamed said. “In addition, a follow-up attack in the Galcad area of the Galgaduud region targeted their guards and associates.”
The airstrike is part of a series of military actions aimed at Al-Shabaab’s operations in the Middle Shabelle region. The Somali government, supported by international partners, has been intensifying efforts to counter the group’s presence in several regions.
AFRICOM has not yet released a statement confirming the airstrike.
In recent weeks, the Somali forces have launched several airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab militants. U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) has confirmed that, as of Sunday, it has conducted close to a dozen airstrikes in Somalia this year. These operations, aimed at both Al-Shabaab and ISIS, have targeted militant leaders and their networks, providing crucial support to Somali government efforts to combat insurgency.
Despite these airstrikes, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat to Somalia’s stability. In February, the group launched an offensive that temporarily captured several key towns, including Bal’ad, located just 30 kilometres from Mogadishu. While Somali forces regained control of these areas, the offensive underscored the ongoing challenges facing the Somali government in securing its territory.
Financial and logistical challenges continue to hinder Somalia’s security forces. Recently, U.S. funding for the elite Danab special forces was cut, further straining Somalia’s military resources. Minister of Finance Bihi Imaan Egeh confirmed the reduction in military funding and urged Somali citizens to pay their taxes to help offset funding shortfalls.
The Somali government heavily relies on external support, including airstrikes from AFRICOM, to bolster its fight against Al-Shabaab.
