Somali Forces Nab Senior Al-Shabaab Commander in Early Morning Operation.
A joint counterterrorism operation in Somalia has led to the capture of a senior Al-Shabaab commander, dealing what security experts describe as a heavy blow to the group’s operations in the Lower Shabelle region.
The suspect, identified as Salaad Macalin Cusmaan Cabdiyow, also known by his nickname “Salaad Dheere,” was arrested during a coordinated raid carried out by elite units of the Somali National Army (SNA). The operation took place in the small farming village of Soo-Maray, located roughly five kilometers west of Mubaarak town.
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According to military sources, the raid was planned based on intelligence gathered over several weeks. Troops from the 203rd Unit of the 20th Brigade, part of the well-known Gorgor Commandos, carried out the operation alongside African Union forces. No casualties were reported among the security personnel.
“This was a targeted, intelligence-led mission,” a Somali military officer told reporters on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. “We had been watching his movements for some time. We knew exactly when and where to strike.”
Salaad Dheere had been on security watch lists for years. Authorities say he was a persistent threat within the insurgency network in Lower Shabelle, a region that has seen frequent attacks by the militant group. His role reportedly involved coordinating raids on security outposts and civilian areas, as well as overseeing the movement of fighters between villages.
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The capture is being seen as a success not just for the Somali National Army but also for the African Union forces working alongside them. For months, security operations in the area have focused on dismantling Al-Shabaab’s hold on rural communities. Taking a commander of this level off the battlefield is expected to disrupt the group’s local chain of command.
Residents of Soo-Maray said the operation happened quietly before dawn. “We heard vehicles approaching, then some shouting, but no gunfire,” said one villager who asked that his name be withheld for safety reasons. “When we came out in the morning, we saw soldiers leaving with a man in handcuffs.”
The suspect has been moved to an undisclosed location for questioning. Officials say they expect to gather useful information about planned attacks, financing networks, and other commanders still at large.
There has been no immediate statement from Al-Shabaab regarding the arrest. However, security analysts expect the group may try to retaliate in the coming days, either by targeting security forces or civilians in nearby towns.
For now, the Somali government is calling the operation a step forward in the long effort to restore order in the Lower Shabelle region. A brief statement from the Ministry of Defense praised the Gorgor Commandos for their precision and restraint during the raid.
“We will continue to hunt down those who bring violence to our people,” the statement read. “There is nowhere left to hide.”
More details are expected as the investigation into Salaad Dheere’s network continues.
Somali Forces Nab Senior Al-Shabaab Commander in Early Morning Operation.
