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.
Deputy Commander Mohamed Hassan Abukar, of the 7th unit of the 16th battalion of the Lightning Commando, confirmed the pivotal role of local intelligence in a statement to national media. The Somali News Agency, SONNA, stated, "In absentia, the Military Court sentenced Commander Ali Ahmed Guure (Ali Qoyane) to death. Guure was identified as one of the most dangerous leaders who inflicted numerous hardships on the Somali people."
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.