ASWJ Militia with Truck
A senior al-Shabaab official who was reportedly in charge of militia operations in Galgaduud region of central Somalia, was killed in an ambush by pro-government militia of Ahlu Sunnah wal Jamaa (ASWJ) late Sunday night.
ASWJ is a moderate islamists group in central Somalia and have been engaged in deadly clashes with al-Shabaab for nearly three years. Senior official, Mursal Abdirahman told Somalia Report that their troops conducted what he termed a 'special mission’ in Gadoon district 30 kilometers east of Dhusamareb.
“Our forces received information about the arrival of a senior al-Shabaab official, Fanah in the area, before they set off on the mission,” he said.
According to ASWJ officials, both their forces and al-Shabaab fighters are operating inside Gadoon but are based on the outskirts of the city which serves as a green-zone for both groups.
The motive behind the arrival of the al-Shabaab official is not yet confirmed but Mursal says their troops captured his car, an AK-47 and a pistol belonging to the slain al-Shabaab leader. The body and weapons were moved to Dhusamareb, the capital city of Galgaduud.
“Since we are Muslims we will try to bury him soon after we display his body to the public,” said Mursal.
Somalia Report spoke to residents living in Ceelbuur which is an al-Shabaab controlled area and one of the largest strongholds of the militants.
Residents claimed they had heard of Fanah's death in the area.
“We heard that Fanah was killed last night somewhere in Galgaduud . I knew him personally and can physically identify him," an Ceelbuur resident, Muse Mohamed told Somalia Report via phone.
Al-Shabaab officials have not commented on these claims.