Friday June 16, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Somali government announced that a high-ranking Al-Shabaab leader, Ali Ahmed Guure (alias Ali Qoyane), was killed on Thursday during a strategic military operation in the Galgaduud region.
The operation, conducted by the Somali army between Gal'ad and Barag Sheikh Aamir, also led to the deaths of two other Al-Shabaab members. According to the Ministry of Information of Somalia, the operation's success was credited to valuable local intelligence.
In addition to neutralizing Guure, the operation led to the interception and seizure of a Toyota Noah van reportedly transporting other Al-Shabaab members and their weaponry.
This military operation is a part of the ongoing efforts of the Somali government in their "total war" against Al-Shabaab, declared by President Mohamud since his inauguration last May. Despite criticism over the stalling of the counter-offensive and the recent deadly attack on a Ugandan military base, Somalia's security officials say they will continue to focus on launching an offensive against insurgent strongholds in the southern regions.