Colonel Abdirahman Hujale, commander of the Somali National Army’s 26th Brigade, was shot and killed by one of his own soldiers on Saturday at a frontline base near Moqokori in the Hiiraan region, security officials confirmed. The soldier, identified as Abdullahi Hassan Ahmed, was subsequently killed by other troops at the scene. Both bodies were airlifted to Mogadishu for further investigation.
The incident occurred in the vicinity of Mubaax, a base on the border of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, amid ongoing clashes between Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab militants in the districts of Aden Yabaal and Moqokori. Colonel Hujale was actively involved in anti-terror operations in central Somalia, and his death marks a significant blow to the Somali National Army’s efforts to combat the Al-Qaeda-linked group
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, with officials yet to release details on what prompted Ahmed to turn his weapon on his commander. This incident follows a similar high-profile killing last month, when Colonel Nur Farey was shot dead by an individual in military uniform near Afgoye, 30 km from Mogadishu, raising concerns about internal security within the Somali military.some reports speculate about potential infiltration or discontent within the ranks.
However, no official reports have confirmed such claims, and investigations into both incidents are ongoing. The Somali government has not issued a formal statement on Hujale’s killing, but the loss of two senior military officials in such a short period underscores the challenges facing the country’s fight against Al-Shabaab, which has intensified in central Somalia in recent months. The group has made strategic gains, including capturing villages south of Mogadishu, complicating military operations in the region.
Mustaqbal
