MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has confirmed the killing of a senior Al-Shabaab leader responsible for financing militant operations in the Banadir region, marking another blow to the group’s financial network.
In a statement, NISA said its elite Gaashan Force killed Ahmed Dhubad Xidig, also known as Sheikh Adan Dheere, during a carefully planned operation in the Daniga Baalow area of Lower Shabelle on January 27.
According to the agency, intelligence officers raided the house where the militant leader was hiding. Xidig was shot dead after attempting to resist arrest during the operation.
NISA described the slain militant as a long-serving member of Al-Shabaab who joined the group in 2008 and later rose through its ranks to oversee extortion and revenue collection across several regions.
He previously operated as an extortion agent in Mudug, Galgaduud, Hiran and Lower Shabelle before assuming a senior finance role in Banadir.
“The leader had been involved in systematic extortion and looting of public property,” NISA said, adding that security forces had been tracking him for an extended period before successfully neutralising him.
The killing comes only days after Somali security forces eliminated Abdullahi Hassan Abdi Osoble, identified as Al-Shabaab’s overall head of finance, in a separate operation—an indication of intensified efforts to dismantle the group’s financial lifelines.
In recent months, the Somali government has escalated counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab, targeting both its leadership and operational capacity.
Officials say the sustained campaign has significantly weakened the militant group’s ability to recruit, finance attacks and maintain territorial influence.
In one of the latest coordinated strikes, NISA, working alongside international partners, killed seven Al-Shabaab militants in Qahirah, Middle Shabelle, destroying weapons caches and militant shelters.
Another night raid in the Maxaa Said area of the same region reportedly targeted a leadership meeting, killing five senior militants and seriously wounding three others.
Somali authorities say operations against the group will continue as part of a broader strategy to restore security and stability across the country.
