Somali forces kill senior Al-Shabaab commander Magaalabeen in Bakool region

Monday August 18, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali National Armed Forces have killed senior Al-Shabaab commander Hussein Moallim Hassan, known as Magaalabeen, during a military operation in Southwest state on Sunday.

The operation took place near Buurdhuuxunle, about 17 km north of Waajid in Bakool region, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.

Magaalabeen, one of Al-Shabaab’s most wanted leaders, had been with the group for more than 15 years and was a central figure in planning and executing attacks across multiple regions, including Hiiraan, Middle and Lower Shabelle, Mudug, Galgaduud, Bay, Bakool, and Gedo.

During his time in the group, he held several senior positions, including operational commander in Bay, Bakool, and Gedo regions, head of taxation in Bakool, chief of intelligence in the Shabelle regions and Hiiraan, and deputy to Fu’ad Mohamed Shangole, Al-Shabaab’s propaganda and indoctrination chief

The Defense Ministry said his death marks a major blow to Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure. It comes as government forces intensify operations in Southwest state aimed at weakening the militant group’s command network.

The Somali National Army emphasized that the operation demonstrates the Federal Government’s “firm commitment to protect civilians, restore stability, and ensure the total defeat of terrorism across the country.”