Somali authorities have announced the death of Abdullahi Abukar, a senior Al-Shabab commander who oversaw the militant group’s finances and recruitment of child soldiers, in a precision operation near Hudur in the Bakool region.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed Monday that the strike, carried out by the Somali National Army on Sunday, targeted Abukar in an area long controlled by Al-Shabab.
Officials described him as one of the most wanted figures in the organisation, with deep operational influence in southwestern Somalia.
According to the ministry, Abukar’s responsibilities included managing funds extorted from civilians — money used to finance attacks — and coordinating the forced conscription of children.
His death, officials said, represents a significant blow to Al-Shabab’s ability to maintain both its revenue streams and recruitment networks in Bakool.
“This operation eliminated a high-value target and disrupted an essential link in Al-Shabab’s command and control,” the ministry said in a statement, praising the army’s precision strike.
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The killing comes just one day after Somali and allied forces retook Bariire, a strategically important town that had served as a launch site for attacks on nearby regions and the capital, Mogadishu.
Al-Shabab, formally known as Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, has waged an insurgency in Somalia since 2006, seeking to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Despite years of offensives, the group continues to carry out bombings, assassinations, and raids, often targeting civilians and security forces alike.
Security analysts say Abukar’s death could temporarily weaken the group’s operational capacity in Bakool, though they warn that Al-Shabab has historically replaced fallen leaders quickly.