Somalia: Airstrike kills Al-Shabaab leader Yusuf Dhegnaas

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu, Somalia — Somali government forces struck a lethal blow against Al-Shabaab on Saturday, killing Yusuf Dhegnaas, a senior commander in the Middle Shabelle region, in a targeted airstrike.

The operation, executed in the El-Ba’ad area near the Ruun-Nirgood district, also wiped out over 20 militants and destroyed three of the group’s vehicles, dealing a significant setback to the extremists’ leadership.

During a late-night press conference in Mogadishu, the Somali Ministry of Defense confirmed the strike. Spokesperson Sheikh Abukar Mohamed Hassan announced that Dhegnaas, second-in-command to Al-Shabaab’s regional leader Kabakutukade, was killed while planning attacks from a base in Ruun-Nirgood.

“Tonight, we eliminated Yusuf Dhegnaas, a key figure in their operations,” Hassan said. “After a failed attempt to flee toward Galcad, a second strike finished him.”

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reported that the airstrike torched militant vehicles loaded with weapons. Dubbed “Dhameystirka Eeyaha Naarta” (Completing the Dogs of Hell), the operation underscores Somalia’s escalating campaign to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s network in the country’s heartland.

A pivotal blow in Middle Shabelle

Middle Shabelle stretches north of Mogadishu, its fertile plains a lifeline for farmers and a longtime stronghold for Al-Shabaab.

The Al-Qaeda-linked group has waged a relentless insurgency against Somalia’s federal government since 2007, taxing locals and launching attacks from rural bases. Dhegnaas’ death marks a critical hit to the militants’ grip on the region.

Hassan described the operation as a carefully planned strike aimed at crippling Al-Shabaab’s command. “This sends a clear message: the enemy is weakening,” he told reporters. “In the days ahead, we’ll rid Shabeellaha Dhexe of this threat and free our people.”

For nearly two decades, Somalia has grappled with Al-Shabaab’s violent campaign to overthrow the government and impose strict Islamist rule.

Despite losing ground in major cities, the group retains control over parts of the countryside, striking at will against civilians, officials, and African Union troops, bolstering the fragile administration.

Saturday’s strike fits a broader pattern of success in 2025, with Somali forces—often backed by U.S. drone support—targeting high-ranking militants. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), a frequent partner in such operations, has yet to confirm its role in the El-Ba’ad attack.

Analysts say these strikes disrupt Al-Shabaab’s operations, though the group’s ability to regroup remains a challenge.

Residents expressed cautious relief in Ruun-Nirgood, a dusty district dotted with farms. “We’re tired of war,” said a local farmer, who asked to remain unnamed for safety. “They take our crops, our sons—maybe this strike brings some calm.”

The operation’s toll on civilians, if any, wasn’t addressed by officials, a recurring concern in areas where Al-Shabaab blends into communities.

The human cost of victory

The government framed Dhegnaas’ death as a triumph, yet the broader conflict continues to scar Somalia.

Middle Shabelle, a breadbasket region, has seen its people uprooted by years of fighting, their livelihoods shattered. Saturday’s strike may weaken Al-Shabaab locally, but for residents, peace feels distant.

Hassan remained resolute, vowing to build on the momentum. “The ‘Dhameystirka Eeyaha Naarta’ campaign has begun, and we won’t stop until our citizens are safe,” he said.

The killing of Yusuf Dhegnaas hands Somalia a tactical edge, but the war’s outcome hinges on sustained pressure. With Kabakutukade still at large, the government and its allies face a formidable foe. For now, the strike is a hard-won step in a conflict that has defined a generation.

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