Mogadishu, Somalia — Somali authorities have confirmed that a joint operation involving the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) and international partners killed two senior Al-Shabaab operatives in a precision strike carried out on December 10 in Jilib district, Middle Juba region.
In a statement released this week, NISA said the operation eliminated Abdullahi Osman Mohamed, widely known as “Engineer Ismail,” and Abdikarim Mohamed Hersi, also known as “Qoorleex,” both described as key figures within the militant group’s leadership structure.
Engineer Ismail was identified as one of Al-Shabaab’s most senior and dangerous operatives. He served as the group’s chief bomb maker, oversaw the elite Amniyat intelligence unit, and played a leading role in Al-Kataaib, the group’s propaganda and disinformation wing. Somali officials said he was among the most wanted militants, with the United States offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his capture.
According to security sources, Engineer Ismail was a central planner behind several major attacks, including the deadly October 14 bombing in Mogadishu, as well as other assaults targeting civilians and public infrastructure across the country.
The second militant killed, Qoorleex, was a senior figure within Al-Shabaab’s propaganda and coordination network. NISA said he was responsible for managing operations and extremist messaging in the Juba regions, making him a key link between the group’s leadership and field operatives in southern Somalia.
NISA described the strike as a carefully planned and successfully executed operation that dealt a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s operational, intelligence, and media capabilities. Officials said the removal of the two commanders represents a major step in ongoing efforts to weaken the Al-Qaida-linked group, which has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s internationally backed government for more than 15 years.
Despite sustained military pressure from Somali forces and their allies, Al-Shabaab continues to carry out attacks across the country, particularly in Mogadishu and parts of central and southern Somalia.
