Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced a major counterterrorism success after its elite Gaashaan special forces carried out a targeted operation in the Cumar Beere area of Lower Shabelle on Monday night, killing a senior Al-Shabaab bomb expert long sought by security agencies.
The coordinated operation, conducted under NISA’s direction, targeted Xasan Siidoow Xuseen, a key Al-Shabaab commander responsible for planning, assembling, and supervising improvised explosive device (IED) attacks across the region.
Mastermind Behind Roadside Bombings Neutralized
According to NISA, Xasan Siidoow Xuseen was the principal architect behind the deadly roadside bombs and ambushes that have frequently targeted civilians, security forces, and public transportation routes in Lower Shabelle.
Authorities described him as “the brain behind the buried explosives that terrorized innocent civilians and disrupted movement across the region.” He reportedly played a leading role in coordinating, mentoring, and directing Al-Shabaab cells that carried out attacks in the area.
Operation Months in the Making
NISA stated on its official X platform that Gaashaan operatives had been tracking the commander for an extended period. The agency reported that last night’s operation successfully eliminated Xasan Siidoow and three of his bodyguards, who were accompanying him at the time.
The strike is seen as a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities in Lower Shabelle, particularly in the planning and deployment of IEDs — one of the group’s most lethal tactics.
NISA: Counterterrorism Pressure Will Intensify
Following the operation, NISA reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts aimed at improving public safety and dismantling remaining Al-Shabaab networks.
The agency noted that operations will continue across the country as part of a broader strategy to neutralize key militant figures, disrupt attack planning, and secure major population centers.
Strategic Gain for National Security
Security analysts view the elimination of Xasan Siidoow Xuseen as a strategic achievement in Somalia’s ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab. The removal of such a high-value operative is expected to disrupt the group’s ability to carry out coordinated attacks in Lower Shabelle, offering a temporary reprieve to communities frequently affected by roadside bombings.
