Mogadishu, Somalia – A senior Al-Shabaab commander with a $3 million U.S. bounty on his head has been killed in Bu’aale, the group’s stronghold in southern Somalia, in what security officials describe as a significant victory against the militant organization.
Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, known by his alias Jaafar Gurey, was one of Al-Shabaab’s most wanted figures. He was believed to have masterminded a series of deadly attacks targeting civilians, security forces, and aid convoys across Jubaland.
The operation that led to his death took place near Bu’aale town, deep inside the Juba Valley. Though details remain limited, officials confirmed that Gurey was eliminated in a targeted strike as part of a broader effort to weaken Al-Shabaab’s leadership network.
The United States had previously offered a $3 million reward for information leading to Gurey’s capture under its Rewards for Justice program, highlighting his role as a key operational and financial planner within the extremist movement.
Somali intelligence sources described Gurey as instrumental in coordinating Al-Shabaab’s bomb-making operations, cross-border raids, and recruitment of foreign fighters. His death is seen as a heavy blow to the group’s capacity to conduct coordinated attacks in southern Somalia.
Residents living on the outskirts of Bu’aale reported hearing intense gunfire and explosions overnight. By dawn, a heavy military presence was observed in the area, fueling speculation that a high-profile militant had been targeted.
Analysts say Al-Shabaab has lost not only a battlefield commander but also a strategist who helped sustain its grip on Lower Juba.
Bu’aale, still under Al-Shabaab’s control, has served as a command and logistics hub for the militants, offering a base from which they collect illegal taxes, train recruits, and plan attacks. Its isolation and natural defenses have made it one of the most challenging areas for government forces to reclaim.
Officials from Somalia’s Ministry of Defense regard the development as a strategic success that reinforces the government’s commitment to eradicating Al-Shabaab and liberating the remaining territories under militant rule.
Although the group remains resilient, the loss of commanders like Gurey is expected to weaken its internal cohesion and operational reach. His elimination underscores the increasing pressure being placed on the group’s leadership across southern Somalia.
For many Somalis, especially those displaced by the group’s brutal reign, the death of Jaafar Gurey offers a sense of relief and renewed hope that the country is moving closer to lasting peace.