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.”