Al-Shabaab Financier Behind Westgate, Dusit Attacks Killed in US Airstrike

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The United States has confirmed the death of Mohamed Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman, the militant group’s finance head during the infamous Westgate Mall and DusitD2 attacks.

Mire was killed in a US airstrike on December 24, 2024, near Quyno Barrow, approximately 260 kilometers from Mogadishu, Somalia.

The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced the operation on Monday, stating that two al-Shabaab militants, including Mire, were killed.

Mire had been a key figure in the group’s hierarchy, serving as its finance head and regional governor for over 15 years.

His roles extended to strategic decision-making and overseeing the group’s activities as its de facto interior minister.

“Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman, was responsible for al-Shabaab’s regional governance in Somalia for the last 15 years. In addition to being one of al-Shabaab’s longest-serving members, Mire served as the interior minister and played a key role in the group’s strategic decision-making,” AFRICOM stated.

The command confirmed that no civilians were harmed in the airstrike but refrained from disclosing further mission details.

General Michael Langley, AFRICOM commander, emphasized that the operation’s results would continue to be assessed, promising additional information when available.

Mire’s death marks a significant disruption to al-Shabaab’s operations.

He was deeply involved in financing, planning, and executing attacks in Kenya and Somalia.

His tenure saw him orchestrating the Westgate Mall attack in 2013, which resulted in the death of 62 civilians and five Kenyan Defence Forces officers during a harrowing four-day siege.

Mire also played a crucial role in the 2019 DusitD2 complex attack in Nairobi, which claimed 22 lives.

In addition to his financial responsibilities, Mire headed al-Shabaab’s regions department, equivalent to an interior ministry.

His influence within the group was extensive, holding multiple leadership positions.

Mire’s name surfaced prominently in July when Somalia’s anti-money laundering committee included him in a sanctions list targeting key al-Shabaab commanders.

US officials had designated him a global terrorist in October 2022, highlighting his seniority within the group and his oversight of many of its operations in Somalia.

He was listed alongside other notorious figures such as Yasir Jiis, Yusuf Ahmed Hajji Nurow (Gees Ade), and Mustaf Abdi Aden, the latter being the mastermind behind the DusitD2 attack.

“Somalia remains central to the security environment in East Africa. U.S. Africa Command’s forces will continue training, advising, and equipping partner forces to degrade al-Shabaab,” AFRICOM stated.

This operation follows a similar airstrike in 2023, which eliminated Kenyan Maalim Ayman, another senior al-Shabaab leader linked to the 2020 Manda Bay attack in Lamu that killed three US nationals.

Al-Shabaab, entrenched in southern and central Somalia, has been waging a violent insurgency against the Somali government for over 15 years, posing a persistent threat to regional stability.