Bu’aale, Middle Jubba – Somali security forces, in coordination with international partners, have killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander, Mohamud Abdi Hamud — widely known by his nom de guerre Jacfar Gurey — in a targeted airstrike in Bu’aale, Middle Jubba region. The operation, confirmed by the Somali government late Monday, marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing offensive against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the precision strike was conducted following extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance aimed at dismantling Al-Shabaab’s leadership network. Officials described Jacfar Gurey as one of the group’s top regional figures, directly involved in planning and executing deadly attacks on civilians, security personnel, and government institutions.
“The elimination of Jacfar Gurey is a major success in our joint efforts with international partners to weaken Al-Shabaab’s command structure and degrade its operational capabilities,” the government said in a statement.
Residents of Bu’aale reported hearing a powerful explosion late in the night, followed by unusual movement by militants in the area. “We heard a large blast on the edge of town. Later, word spread that a senior Al-Shabaab commander had been killed,” said one resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.
Government officials hailed the strike as proof of the Somali National Army’s growing efficiency and coordination with allied forces. “This is another step forward in our fight to liberate the country from terrorism and ensure long-term peace and stability,” a senior military commander noted.
The latest operation comes amid intensified military pressure on Al-Shabaab strongholds in southern Somalia, as the government pushes to reclaim remaining territories under militant control and restore state authority across the region.