A joint security operation conducted by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and the Somali National Army has resulted in the capture of a senior Al-Shabaab commander in the Mubaraka area.
The suspect, identified as Salaad Cusmaan Macalin, also known as “Sahm,” is a 40-year-old battalion commander who has been affiliated with the group since 2009. According to officials, he was apprehended “while scouting Somali army defensive positions ahead of a planned attack” .
Security sources said the commander was accompanied by several fighters, including “foreign militants reportedly relocated from Jilib, a known Al-Shabaab stronghold” . During initial interrogation, he disclosed that an associate identified as Ismaaciil, a Kenyan national, had volunteered for a suicide mission, while another suspect, Salman, managed to evade capture.
Jackson Kayanja, Sector One Commander, commended the troops for their vigilance and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between security forces and local communities.
Officials described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt planned attacks and weaken militant networks operating in southern Somalia.
Mustaqbal
