Somalia: Gov’t Announces the Killing of A Senior AS Commander, Mansoor Timo-weyne and 50 others in a Planned Operations

The Federal Government of Somalia has provided details about a major military operation conducted today in the Middle Shabelle region, resulting in the killing of a senior Al-Shabaab commander and dozens of militants.

A press release from the Somali National Army stated that the operation took place in the Damasha Shabeelow area and was executed as planned.

The main target, Mansoor Timo-weyne, who was responsible for Al-Shabaab’s combat vehicles, was successfully eliminated according to reports.

According to the statement, Timo-weyne had traveled from Buulo Fulay, transporting repaired vehicles to Al-Shabaab fighters operating in Middle Shabelle. However, he was killed in an airstrike in the Damasha Shabeelow area before reaching his destination.

In addition to the commander, 50 other Al-Shabaab fighters were also killed in the operation according to close confidant sources.

The Somali government further reported that three combat vehicles belonging to the militant group were destroyed in the strike.

These vehicles were allegedly intended for attacks in Middle Shabelle.

This latest operation was said to mark another major blow to Al-Shabaab, which has suffered repeated setbacks in similar counterterrorism campaigns.

The killing of Mansoor Timo-weyne follows the recent elimination of another key Al-Shabaab operative, Daa’uud Maleele, who was responsible for collecting extortion funds (Zakawaat) and conducting reconnaissance in Beledul-Amiin, a village under Afgooye district in Lower Shabelle according to reports.Maleele was killed in a separate operation last week.

As of now, Al-Shabaab has not issued any statement regarding the operation. Meanwhile, Somali security forces continue their efforts in Middle Shabelle to prevent the militant group’s resurgence.

The region has recently seen intensified clashes between Somali government forces, supported by local fighters, and Al-Shabaab. The ongoing offensives have resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, with fighting still reported in remote areas of the region as per reports.