MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia replaced its army chief on Thursday as the government prepares a new phase of operations against al-Shabab in central and southern regions, naming Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Mohamed Mohamud to lead the Somali National Army.
The shake-up was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, according to the prime minister’s office. Maj. Gen. Odawaa Yusuf Rageh was removed from the post, the statement said, in a move officials framed as part of a broader effort to modernize the military and sharpen command effectiveness as fighting intensifies.
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“The change in command reflects the need for renewed tactical direction as the armed forces enter a decisive stage of the campaign,” the government statement said, adding that Mohamud will prioritize professionalizing the ranks and streamlining command structures.
Defense officials said the new army chief has been tasked with sustaining battlefield momentum while introducing operational and logistical adjustments to improve troop readiness and inter-unit coordination. The transition comes as Somali forces conduct sustained, high-intensity offensives in parts of Middle Shabelle and Lower Juba—areas long used by the al-Qaida-linked insurgent group as staging grounds and revenue hubs.
Somali authorities have said recent operations, carried out with support from international partners, resulted in the deaths of more than 300 militants—figures that could not be independently verified. Officials have also emphasized that the campaign is focused on degrading al-Shabab’s ability to maneuver, disrupt supply lines and tax communities under its influence.
Rageh, a career officer who previously led the army, was reappointed as chief in November 2024, replacing Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Sheikh. His latest tenure coincided with an expanded offensive aimed at weakening al-Shabab’s territorial control and financial networks, part of a federal push to regain ground and strengthen local governance in recaptured areas.
Despite years of military pressure, al-Shabab continues to mount attacks against government targets, civilians and international partners, retaining the capacity to orchestrate complex assaults and deadly bombings. Security analysts say the group’s resilience—fueled by its propaganda apparatus, taxation system and ability to exploit security vacuums—has complicated efforts to achieve lasting stability across Somalia’s regions.
Officials portrayed Thursday’s leadership change as a calculated adjustment rather than a reset, describing it as aligned with a long-term plan to sustain pressure on the insurgency while consolidating gains on the ground. The government has repeatedly stressed that professionalizing the army and clarifying chains of command are critical to closing gaps al-Shabab has historically used to regroup.
It was not immediately clear whether additional senior command changes are planned. The prime minister’s office said Mohamud will brief the Cabinet on operational priorities in the coming days as the military prepares to widen its campaign.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
