Mogadishu — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in coordination with international partners, has killed a senior Al-Shabaab commander accused of plotting an assassination attempt on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud earlier this year.
The militant, identified as Mohamed Abdi Dhiblaawe Afrah, was tracked down and neutralized in a targeted operation in the Ugunji area of Lower Shabelle region. Authorities confirmed that Afrah, who operated under several aliases including Khalid Dheere, Khalid Dacas, Macallin Siciid, Timo-jilac, and Mohamed Sahal, was the mastermind behind the March 18 bombing at Mogadishu’s Ceel-gaabta junction that sought to hit the president’s convoy.
“Afrah played a central role in orchestrating roadside bombings and ambushes against both government officials and civilians. Following the March attack, he remained under close surveillance until his elimination today,” NISA said in an official statement.
The March incident marked the first direct attempt on President Mohamud’s life since 2014, when Al-Shabaab bombed a Mogadishu hotel during his first term in office. On that day, the president was heading to Mogadishu’s airport to board a flight to Adan Yabal in Middle Shabelle, where government forces were engaged in fierce battles against the extremist group.
