In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted airstrikes targeting al Shabaab on Sept. 9, 2025.The airstrikes occurred in the Shabelle Region of Somalia.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab's ability to threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

Mogadishu, (SONNA) – A joint operation by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and international partners in Ugunji, Lower Shabelle, has killed Mohamed Abdi Dhiblaawe Afrah, a senior Al-Shabaab leader also known by multiple aliases including Khalid Dheere, Khalid Dacas, Macallin Siciid, Timo-jilac, and Mohamed Sahal. Dhiblaawe, identified as the mastermind behind the March 18, 2025 Ceel-gaabta junction attack targeting the President’s convoy, was neutralized this afternoon in a precision strike on a Noah vehicle carrying him and another Al-Shabaab militant. He was also linked to several bombings and violent acts that claimed civilian lives and had been actively pursued since the Ceel-gaabta attack. NISA said additional details on the operation and the militant leader’s activities will be released soon.

Ugunji, Somalia – A senior Al-Shabaab figure, Mohamed Abdi Dhiblawe, has been killed in a targeted security operation in Ugunji village, security officials confirmed on Monday. Dhiblawe, identified as the mastermind of the March 18, 2025 explosion that targeted the convoy of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu, was eliminated in a joint operation executed by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) with the support of international partners. The March attack killed several bystanders and security officers, though the president escaped unharmed. According to intelligence sources, Dhiblawe had been on Somalia’s most-wanted list for years, accused of orchestrating major bombings and coordinating militant cells across Banadir and Lower Shabelle. His removal is regarded as a significant blow to the militant group’s operational network in southern Somalia. NISA described the operation as “precisely targeted,” adding that no civilians were harmed. Residents of Ugunji village reported heavy gunfire during the raid, which ended swiftly as security forces secured the area. Security analysts say the killing of Dhiblawe signals growing effectiveness of Somali-led counterterrorism operations, bolstered by intelligence-sharing with regional and international allies. However, they caution that Al-Shabaab retains the ability to mount retaliatory attacks, particularly in Mogadishu and key towns along strategic routes. The Somali government has vowed to intensify its campaign against Al-Shabaab as part of its broader stabilization strategy, aiming to dismantle the group’s leadership and liberate remaining areas under its control.

Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the death of Mohamed Abdi Dhiblawe, an Al-Shabaab operative responsible for the bomb attack on President Hassan's convoy in Mogadishu back in March 2025. The operation that led to his elimination took place in Ugunji village within the Lower Shabelle region, aided by International Security Partners, as reported by NISA.

Somali intelligence agency says one of the leaders of the AS was killed. The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency, known as NISA, said that a planned operation killed a member of the Al-Shabaab leadership, who was known as Mohamed Abdi Dhiblawe, and had several other names under which he operated. The attack that killed the man, which was a joint operation between the Somali government and its international partners, took place in the Ugunji area of the Lower Shabelle region, according to a statement released by NISA. NISA said the man who was killed, and who was targeted, was the man who planned the bomb attack on the convoy of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the Ceelgaabta neighborhood of Mogadishu in March 2025, and had also carried out other bomb attacks in the past. Daljir Media

Sirdoonka Soomaaliya oo sheegay in la dilay mid ka mid ahaa madaxda AS. Hay'adda nabadsugidda iyo sirdoonka Soomaaliya ee marka magaceeda la soo gaabiyo looyaqaan NISA ayaa sheegay in hawlgal qorshaysan lagu dilay nin ka tirsanaa madaxda Alshabaab, kaasoo lagu maacaabi jiray Maxamed Cabdi Dhiblaawe, lahaana dhawr magac oo kale oo uu ku hawlgali jiray. Weerarka ninkaan lagu dilay oo ahaa mid ay iska kaashadeen dawladda Soomaaliya iyo saaxiibadeeda caalamka, waxaa uu ka dhacay deegaanka Ugunji oo gobolka Shabeelaha hoose ah, sida lagu caddeeyey wae ka soo baxay NISA. NISA waxay sheegtay ninka la dilay, lana bar-tilmaameedsaday in uu ahaa ninkii qorsheeyey weerarkii qarax ee kolanyada madaxweynaha Soomaaliya Xasan Sh Maxamuud lagula beegsaday xaafadda Ceelgaabta ee magaalada Muqdisho bishii Maarso ee sannadkaan 2025, sidoo kalana uu horay u fuliyey weeraro qarax oo kale. Daljir Media

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced that its forces have killed Mohamed Abdi Dhiblaawe Afrax, a senior Al-Shabaab commander, during a planned operation in Ugunji, Lower Shabelle region.NISA confirmed that Afrax was the mastermind behind the failed assassination attempt targeting the convoy of the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, on March 18, 2025.The March 18, 2025 attackAt around 10:32 a.m. that day, the President’s convoy came under attack near Ceel-gaabta junction in Xamar-Jajab district, as he was on his way to the airport to join frontline troops in Hirshabelle.The Ministry of Information later confirmed the attack was foiled, and the President arrived safely at his destination. The assault, claimed by Al-Shabab, caused civilian casualties, including deaths and injuries.International solidarityThe attack drew swift international condemnation. The Arab League described it as a “blatant attack,” while the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called it a “heinous act.” Both organizations reiterated their full support for Somalia in its fight against terrorism.NISA described the killing of Afrax as a critical step in ensuring accountability for his crimes and pledged to release further details about the operation in due course.

#DEGDEG"The man behind the planned assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh was killed in an airstrike. NISA and international partners worked together to finally kill Mohamed Abdi Dhiblawe Afrax, known by the nicknames (Khalid Dheere, Khalid Dacas, Ma'allin Said, and Mohamed Sahal) who was the man behind the assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on March 18. The operation took place in Ugunji area of Lower Shabelle region. How is it? #cabdirashiidhusein

#DEGDEG"Ninkii ka dambeeyey Qaraxii la qorsheeyey in lagu qaarajiyo Madaxweyne Xasan Shiikh oo duqeyn lagu dilay. NISA iyo Saaxiibada Caalamka oo iska kaashaday inay ugu danbayn nafta dhaafiyay Maxamed Cabdi Dhiblaawe Afrax, oo loo yaqaanay naanaysyaha kala ah (Khaalid Dheere, Khaalid Dacas, Macallin Siciid, iyo Maxamed Sahal) kaas oo ahaa ninkii ka danbeeyay isku daygii dil ee Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud ka bad baaday 18-kii Maarso. Howlgalkaan wuxuu ka dhacay deegaanka Ugunji ee Gobalka Shabeellaha Hoose. Sidee uaragtaa? #cabdirashiidhusein

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