MOGADISHU — The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in coordination with international partners, conducted a planned operation on August 12, 2026, in the Maxaas district of the Hiiraan region, targeting a house where senior Al-Shabaab commanders were hiding. The operation killed three commanders and seriously wounded senior leader Mustaf Caato, who was the group’s overall commander for the so-called “fronts” in the Hiiraan region.
Mustaf Caato, a key figure in Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure, sustained serious injuries during the operation. He was later evacuated from Maxaas and transferred to Ceelbuur district for medical treatment. Caato had long been involved in planning and coordinating terrorist attacks, having previously overseen the group’s explosives and suicide operations.
The other commanders killed in the operation were identified as Cabdi Xaafid, who was involved in explosives operations; Daalibaan, who was responsible for the group’s rapid response unit in the Hiiraan region; and Cumar Xuseen, a commander for one of the group’s “fronts.” Two other commanders, Maxamed Eeney and Salaad Buur, were also seriously wounded in the strike.
Caato had been a high-priority target for security agencies due to his role in organising and directing Al-Shabaab operations. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to degrade the group’s leadership and operational capabilities.
NISA executed an intelligence-driven operation in the Tardo area of Hiiraan, resulting in the deaths of five militants and the destruction of hideouts and logistical facilities used by the group.
NISA has also conducted coordinated strikes across Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan, targeting Al-Shabaab’s media infrastructure and a militant assembly point, killing two senior propaganda operatives and 14 other militants.
NISA eliminated 20 Al-Shabaab militants in a previous Middle Shabelle operation, destroying a key militant base and training camp that served as a hub for coordination, logistics, and recruitment in the region.
NISA also killed a senior Al-Shabaab leader responsible for planning attacks against Somali security forces and government institutions in the region.
Critical Note
While the elimination of senior Al-Shabaab commanders represents a tactical success, the broader campaign against the militant group continues to face significant challenges. Al-Shabaab has demonstrated resilience, adapting its tactics and maintaining its ability to carry out attacks despite sustained military pressure. The effectiveness of operations like the one in Maxaas will ultimately be measured by the government’s ability to maintain security in liberated areas, prevent the group from regrouping, and address the underlying drivers of conflict, including corruption, clan grievances, and economic marginalisation.
Concerns have also been raised about the impact of counter-terrorism operations on civilians, underscoring the need for strict adherence to international humanitarian law and robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that military actions do not undermine public trust or fuel further instability.
