Somalia’s Danab Forces Arrest Two Suspected al‑Shabab Militants in Lower Shabelle

Somali Danab commandos arrest two suspected al-Shabab members in Lower Shabelle raid

One detainee identified as son of senior militant commander as operation near Tooratoorow targets extortion network, officials say

File photo: Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers ride on a military vehicle during a security patrol in southern Somalia. The SNA’s elite Danab commandos have intensified operations in Lower Shabelle as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt al-Shabab activity across the region.

MOGADISHU — Somali Danab commandos arrested two suspected al-Shabab members during a security operation in the Towfiq area of Lower Shabelle, the Ministry of Defence said Tuesday, underscoring stepped-up efforts to disrupt the militant group’s presence near Tooratoorow.

Authorities said the men are believed to be involved in extortion, intimidation and other activities targeting civilians in communities where al-Shabab has sought to enforce illegal taxation and assert control. The Defence Ministry said one detainee, identified as Sakariye, is the son of senior al-Shabab commander Moalim Abdirahmaan. Officials described Abdirahmaan as a prominent figure within the group who remains at large and is being actively pursued by Somali security forces.

The ministry said the operation unfolded close to Tooratoorow, an area where al-Shabab maintains an active presence and has used mobility to harass residents and threaten local authorities. Troops seized a motorcycle allegedly used by militants to facilitate movements during attacks, along with weapons and materials believed to have been intended for planned operations against civilians.

Defence officials framed the raid as part of a broader, sustained campaign to weaken al-Shabab’s operational network in Lower Shabelle, a region where the group has long attempted to entrench itself through coercion and violence. The campaign, they said, is focused on limiting the group’s mobility, disrupting supply routes and reducing its ability to coordinate attacks.

• Two suspected al-Shabab members detained in Towfiq, Lower Shabelle, according to the Defence Ministry
• One detainee identified as the son of senior commander Moalim Abdirahmaan, who remains at large
• Operation near Tooratoorow nets a motorcycle, weapons and materials allegedly slated for attacks
• Raid is part of a wider push to curb extortion and restrict militant movement across the region

Officials said targeted operations would continue in localities where militants have attempted to reassert influence, with an emphasis on protecting civilians and improving day-to-day security. The ministry described the latest action as intended to erode the group’s ability to intimidate residents and to choke off resources al-Shabab uses to sustain its insurgency.

Al-Shabab did not immediately comment on the arrests. The Defence Ministry did not publicize further details about the detainees or the timing and duration of the raid.

Tuesday’s arrests come as Somali forces, led by the SNA and its elite Danab commandos, intensify pressure on al-Shabab across several fronts. In Lower Shabelle, authorities say repeated raids are designed to pre-empt attacks, interdict movement between safe havens and complicate the group’s logistics by seizing transport and materiel that can be used to stage strikes.

Security officials emphasized that efforts are being calibrated to limit harm to civilians while prioritizing areas most affected by illegal taxation and recent threats. The ministry said the focus remains on restoring confidence among residents who have faced systematic pressure from al-Shabab and creating the conditions for local governance and services to function without intimidation.

Authorities urged residents to continue sharing information that can help isolate militants, adding that actionable tips have supported recent investigative and interdiction work. They did not specify whether local reporting aided Tuesday’s arrests.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked group that has carried out attacks on civilians and government forces, has used intimidation to extract money and compliance in parts of southern Somalia. Defence officials said sustained pressure is needed to degrade the group’s ability to stage attacks and to disrupt recruitment and financing in the region.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.

Tuesday December 9, 2025