Somalia Intelligence Kills Al-Shabaab Leader

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) says it has killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander accused of overseeing the group’s mortar attacks and roadside bomb operations during a security operation in the Basra area of the Middle Shabelle region. The operation, conducted on the outskirts of Basra, also resulted in the deaths of seven other suspected militants, according to the agency.

In a statement released on Saturday, NISA said the operation targeted what it described as a militant gathering point along the riverbank in Basra after intelligence indicated that senior members of the armed group were meeting at the location.

The agency identified the slain commander as Ahmed Eybka Aalim, also known by the alias Daqare, alleging that he headed Al-Shabaab units responsible for planting explosive devices and coordinating attacks using 107mm mortars.

“NISA conducted a planned operation on the outskirts of Basra in the Middle Shabelle region, killing eight conspirators, including leaders, who belonged to the mine and mortar attack units,” the agency said in its statement.