Drone Strike Targets Residence of Former Somali Prisons Commander in Doolow

DOOLOW — A drone strike targeted the residence of former Somali Prisons Force commander Brigadier General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, widely known as “Shub,” in Doolow district of the Gedo region on the night of September 3–4, leaving the general injured and at least three others dead.

General Shub was reportedly wounded by shrapnel and debris, with early reports describing his injuries as minor. Videos circulating on social media showed the former commander receiving medical attention as doctors attended to his injuries at a hospital in Doolow. His son posted on Facebook that his father was safe after the incident, though conflicting reports emerged regarding his condition, with some sources saying he had been injured while others denied he had suffered injuries. People described as being close to the former commander declined to provide details about his condition.

According to reports from the area, at least three people were killed in the strike. Some accounts identified the victims as two individuals believed to be close associates or staff members of General Shub, along with an Ethiopian woman who was reportedly working at the residence. The reported death toll has not yet been independently verified.

Political Context and Escalating Tensions

Information emerging about the incident links the strike to Turkish-operated drones supporting Somalia’s federal government. Neither Villa Somalia nor Ankara has officially commented on who ordered or carried out the operation. Türkiye maintains a military base (TURKSOM) in Somalia and trains and equips forces closely aligned with the federal government, with Turkish drones actively involved in security operations inside the country.

General Shub, who previously served as Commander of the Somali Custodial Corps, has been based in Doolow since his removal from office and the collapse of the former Laftagareen administration’s control of Baidoa. He is associated with supporters of former South West President Abdiaziz Laftagareen and politically opposes Villa Somalia.

The strike follows recent fighting in Baidoa between federal forces and fighters aligned with Laftagareen, underscoring the deepening political crisis in South West State.

The incident suggests that Somalia’s political confrontation may be entering a more dangerous phase, one in which air power and foreign military support could be used in internal disputes. If weapons intended to fight Al-Shabaab are turned against political opponents, relations between the federal government and regional states could deteriorate further, potentially leading to armed retaliation, wider conflict, and deeper foreign involvement in Somalia’s domestic power struggle.

Critical Note

The drone strike on General Shub’s residence represents a dangerous escalation in Somalia’s internal political conflict. If reports attributing the attack to Turkish-operated drones are confirmed, it would mark the first time that foreign military assets have been used to target a domestic political opponent rather than Al-Shabaab militants.

The use of air power in internal political disputes raises serious questions about the federal government’s commitment to resolving political differences through dialogue rather than military force. It also underscores the risks of Somalia’s growing dependence on foreign military support, which may be used for purposes that extend beyond the stated counter-terrorism mandate.

The federal government must provide a clear explanation of who ordered the strike and on what legal basis it was conducted. The international community, particularly Türkiye, must ensure that its military assets are not used to target political opponents in Somalia’s internal disputes. Without transparency and accountability, this incident risks further destabilizing an already fragile political situation and undermining the fight against Al-Shabaab.