By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mahamoud Abdi Hamud, a founding member of the group, was targeted in a coordinated operation with international partners, the Ministry of Defence says.
Somalia, 27 October 2025 — The Somali National Army (SNA) has killed a senior Al-Shabaab operative, Mahamoud Abdi Hamud, also known as Ja’far Gurey, in a targeted airstrike in Bu’aale, Middle Jubba, the Ministry of Defence said on Monday.
In a statement, the ministry said Gurey “was a founding member of the group, a close associate of former leaders Ahmed Abdi Godane and Ahmed Diriye, and previously held senior positions overseeing security, intelligence, and operational planning.” The statement added that he “played a key role in the early funding and establishment of Al-Shabaab.”
The ministry said the operation reflects cooperation between Somalia and international partners in the fight against Al-Shabaab and reaffirmed that security operations would continue to protect civilians and maintain stability.
