Saturday July 4, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Saturday that a planned strike on the outskirts of Basra in Middle Shabelle region killed eight al-Shabab members, among them senior operatives.
According to NISA, the operation targeted a gathering place the group was using along the riverbank near Basra.
The agency said those killed included Ahmed Eybka Aalim, also known as Daqare, whom it described as the militant group’s official in charge of mine disposal and the commander of a 107mm mortar attack unit.
Six other members of Daqare’s team were also killed, NISA said.
The agency called the raid a significant setback for an al-Shabab cell linked to the planning and execution of mortar attacks.
“Intelligence information confirmed that the group removed the bodies of the leaders killed from the operation site and secretly buried them in another area,” NISA said.
NISA said the action was part of broader efforts to degrade al-Shabab and break up networks involved in attack planning.
The agency also urged the public to report security threats or al-Shabab and ISIS-related activity using the numbers it has previously issued.
Al-Shabab has not publicly commented on the government’s claims.
