A senior Al-Shabaab commander has reportedly been captured during a military operation conducted by Somali special forces near the Kenya-Somalia border.
According to sources privy to the information, the operation was carried out in Baghdad town, about 42 kilometres outside Hosingow in Somalia’s Sub Sector Central, an area located towards the Kenyan border.
Security agencies reported that the commander was arrested alive during the counter-terrorism operation, while three other suspected Al-Shabaab militants were killed.
Images of the incident obtained by Kenyans.co.ke showed a man believed to be the suspected Al-Shabaab leader kneeling on the ground with his hands tied up
It is now believed that the suspected militia leader was on his way to Kenya alongside other suspected militia members and was on the verge ot entering the country when they were ambushed.
Among the items recovered during the operation include an assault rifle, tactical gear, several mobile phones, and documents believed to belong to the militant group.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Kenya and Somali security forces to dismantle Al-Shabaab networks operating in some Somalia areas, particularly in regions close to the Kenyan border.
The reported capture of the commander is a major boost for the security forces, as it is expected to provide valuable intelligence in investigating the group’s operations and networks.
Al-Shabaab has in recent years waged war against the Somali government and has frequently carried out attacks targeting both Somalia and Kenya.
Due to the frequent attacks by the militia, Kenya has remained on high alert, with security agencies led by the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) deployed to man the Kenya-Somalia border.
However, the latest efforts to curb Al-Shabaab prevalence in the region come just a week after the United States announced it would end its support for United Nations assistance to the peacekeeping mission combating Al-Shabaab in Somalia.
According to reputable sources, President Donald Trump’s administration informed the African Union that it would not support the continuation of the UN Support Office in Somalia beyond the end of 2026.
The office provides critical logistical assistance to the multinational peacekeeping mission, including food, fuel, water, medical services, transportation, and other operational support for troops engaged in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
