In the fight against Terrorism, authorities have captured a senior commander of the Islamic State’s Somalia wing. The arrest came on Monday, just two days after U.S. airstrikes targeted IS leadership, and as Somali security forces continue their relentless offensive against the group.
Head of the group’s assassination squad, Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid, also known by his alias “Laahoor surrendered to authorities on Monday in the Cal Miskaad mountains, in the northeastern Puntland state.
Abdikadir Jama Dirir, Puntland’s top police official in the Bari region, confirmed the capture, calling it a significant blow to IS operations in Somalia. Laahoor’s arrest weakens the group’s grip on its illicit revenue streams and disrupts planned assassination missions.
In recent years, Islamic State’s Somalia branch has evolved into a strong force, solidifying its position within the terrorist network. With an influx of foreign fighters and enhanced revenue collection strategies, the group has been gaining strength.
Back in December, IS militants claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base using two booby-trapped vehicles which is an alarming shift in tactics that analysts say signals the group’s evolving combat capabilities.
Puntland’s security forces have since the attack been on an aggressive campaign to dismantle both IS and their long-time rival, al Shabaab, the al Qaeda-linked insurgent group that still holds significant territory in southern Somalia. Officials claim that several IS bases have been seized during the ongoing operations.
Over the weekend, U.S. airstrikes hit Islamic State positions, with an initial assessment indicating heavy militant casualties. U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed on Sunday that the strikes had dealt a severe blow to the group’s operations.
For decades, Somalia has been battling lawlessness following the 1991 ousting of President Siad Barre. With extremist groups like al Shabaab and IS exploiting the country’s fragile state, Somali authorities continue to grapple with restoring control and securing lasting peace.
The capture of Laahoor marks a significant milestone, but the fight against terrorism in Somalia is far from over.
