Lower Shabelle, Somalia – Somalia’s elite Danab Commandos under the Somali National Army (SNA) carried out a successful overnight operation targeting Al-Shabaab militants in the Yuumbis area, approximately 7 kilometers northwest of Barire Town in the volatile Lower Shabelle region.
According to military officials, the carefully planned raid resulted in the deaths of eight Al-Shabaab terrorists, including a senior figure identified as Abdi Jabbar, also known as “Jaabir.” He was a key bomb-maker and oversaw the militant group’s explosive operations in the region.
“Abdi Jabbar ‘Jaabir’ played a central role in orchestrating deadly bombings that have killed civilians and security forces alike,” said a senior officer involved in the mission. His elimination is a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities.
The operation, which was conducted with precision intelligence and tactical coordination, is part of an intensified campaign by Somali forces to degrade Al-Shabaab’s command structure and deny the group safe havens in southern Somalia.
Lower Shabelle, long considered a stronghold of the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgent group, has seen a spike in counterterrorism operations in recent weeks, with Danab units leading high-risk missions to dismantle militant networks.
Military sources confirmed that no casualties were sustained by the Somali forces during the operation. Local residents reported hearing bursts of gunfire and explosions late into the night, followed by a heavy security presence in the early morning hours.
The Somali government has praised the Danab Commandos for their bravery and effectiveness, reiterating its commitment to restoring peace and stability across the country.
Security analysts believe that the killing of Abdi Jabbar will disrupt Al-Shabaab’s capacity to conduct complex attacks using improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which have been a major threat to both military targets and civilian populations.
The government urges residents in Lower Shabelle to continue cooperating with security forces by reporting suspicious activity, as operations against Al-Shabaab are expected to intensify in the coming weeks.