Somali National Army (SNA) forces killed senior Al-Shabaab commander Hussein Moallim Hassan Saturday night in an operation, Defense Ministry said.
The operation was carried out near Burdhuhunle area, some 17km north of Waajid in Bakool region, according to the Ministry.
Hussein had been a key Al-Shabaab figure for over 15 years, orchestrating attacks across Hiiraan, Middle Shabelle, Lower Shabelle, Mudug, Galgadud, Bay, Bakool, and Gedo.
He held senior roles including operational commander in Bay, Bakool, Gedo. He also served as head of taxation in Bakool and chief of intelligence in Shabelle and Hiiraan regions.
Hussein acted as deputy to Fu’ad Mohamed Shangole, carrying a $5 million U.S. bounty, further extending his control over operations across Somalia.
The Ministry lebelled Hussein’s killing as a victory and a move to weaken the group’s leadership and restore peace, stability, and security in Somalia.
“We continue our precision strikes targeting Al Shabab leaders until they are fully dismantled and defeated,” the Ministry said.
Despite air and ground operations, Al-Shabab continues to carry out deadly attacks on army bases in south and central Somalia.
Last month, the group seized several towns following pre-dawn attacks that began with suicide explosions, followed by gun battles.
Al-Shabab still holds large swaths of rural territory, including the Middle Jubba region, where its top leaders have been based since being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011.
