Jubbaland Forces Seize High-Ranking al-Shabaab Judge, Neutralize Four Militants in Dhoobley Operation
In a scene reminiscent of a movie, an intense raid in Lafo-Gari, Lower Juba, culminated in the arrest of a man known to many as Moalim Mohamed. Advancing quietly yet decisively, the Jubbaland security forces succeeded where others had failed. Capturing the deputy judge of an Al-Shabaab-controlled court, the operation marked a resounding victory for the beleaguered region. Alongside Mohamed’s capture, the forces reported the deaths of four Al-Shabaab operatives during the operation.
Kismayo (AX) — It was a day of significance for Jubbaland’s security forces, who reported the strategic apprehension of a high-profile member of Al-Shabaab’s judicial structure and the simultaneous elimination of four of the militia group’s active members. Orchestrated with precision, the raid focused on dismantling the militant group’s hideaway near Dhoobley, a crucial node in southern Somalia, according to statements released on Saturday.
Designed to be surgical, this daring operation in Lafo-Gari secured Moalim Mohamed—a figurehead in the hierarchy of Al-Shabaab’s rigid judicial system. But what more human impulse can there be than to question: What was it like to live under this judgmental gaze? For many, this court was no bastion of justice. Security officials recounted how rulings were meted out with meticulous severity, lacking any transparent process. It was a court of fear, not of fairness, and strikingly reminiscent of historical tribunals driven by ideology rather than equity.
In detailing the raid, Colonel Mohamed Heybe, Dhoobley district’s resourceful security commander, underscored the role of intelligence that catalyzed the operation. He revealed that soldiers had met stanch resistance from about 20 devious militants during the maneuver, enduring a brief yet intense firefight. Among the casualties was the elusive financial mastermind commanding directives in Lafo-Gari, a figure whose absence will undoubtedly unsettle the group’s economic framework.
For the authorities in Jubbaland, the capture of Moalim Mohamed signifies a pivotal step in their arduous journey to dismantle the operationally savvy and financially intricate structures of Al-Shabaab in Lower Juba. Al-Shabaab’s insidious grasp relies heavily on income from coercive taxation and judicial impositions—mechanisms designed to project power and control, yet erode human dignity.
Meanwhile, the broader tapestry of Somalia’s ongoing conflict remains complex and dynamic. Backed by the federal government, regional administrations, and a medley of international alliances, a resolve has emerged to intensify military actions against the notorious terrorist collective. The persistent menace of Al-Shabaab, synonymous with violence and intimidation across Somalia and Kenya, continues to challenge every peace-building effort made over the past 15 painstaking years.
As one Jubbaland official poignantly remarked, “The struggle endures but does so with renewed hope and resilience. We will not retreat in our pursuit of peace and stability.” The undertones of valor resonate widely, as the imagination envisions a future where the specter of conflict no longer looms.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
