The Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), in close coordination with international partners, successfully carried out a precision airstrike in Bu’aale, Middle Juba region, eliminating senior Al-Shabaab leader Mahmoud Abdi Hamud, also known as Jaafar Gurey.
Jaafar Gurey was a founding member of the Al-Shabaab extremist network and a close associate of former leaders Ahmed Abdi Godane and Ahmed Diriye. During his time in the organization, he held senior positions including Head of External Security, Head of Leadership Security, and Head of Intelligence Tracking, directly linking him to the group’s espionage, operational planning, and targeted assassinations.
Gurey also played a key role in Al-Shabaab’s early financing and formation, including involvement in embezzling funds from an Ethiopian company alongside Godane, which were subsequently used to support the organization’s establishment.
The Somali government highlighted that the operation demonstrates strong coordination between Somalia and its international partners in combating Al-Shabaab, with the goal of securing lasting peace and stability.
“The targeted neutralization of Jaafar Gurey marks a significant step in our ongoing fight against terrorism,” the government stated. “Counterterrorism operations will continue until all extremist elements are removed, enabling the Somali people to live in peace, security, and sustainable development.”
Al-Shabaab is a radical Islamist terrorist organization that emerged in 2006 following the collapse of the Islamic Courts Union in Somalia. Adhering to a Salafi-jihadist ideology, the group aims to establish Sharia rule in Somalia and overthrow Western-aligned governments. Its violent activities include bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, cross-border attacks, and, occasionally, piracy. While Somalia remains the primary area of operations, Al-Shabaab frequently targets Kenya, particularly Nairobi and surrounding regions, and has conducted smaller-scale attacks against Ugandan and Tanzanian forces, as well as against Ethiopian military presence in Somalia.
International efforts to counter Al-Shabaab are extensive. The United States targets the group’s leadership through drone strikes and special operations, while also providing intelligence and enforcing financial sanctions. The United Kingdom and France support Somali security forces with intelligence and military training, and the European Union contributes through security reforms, police training, and intelligence cooperation. The African Union conducts intensive military operations in Somalia through AMISOM (now ATMIS), involving troops from Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia. In addition, the U.S. and EU implement diplomatic and financial measures aimed at cutting off the group’s funding.
