By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 6 October 2026 — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said an operation in Jilib district killed Bashir Ahmed Haji Nunow, whom it described as a former senior commander of Al-Shabaab.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, NISA said the planned operation took place on the night of October 1, 2026, with support from international partners.
The agency said Nunow headed Al-Shabaab’s Amniyat security wing between 2016 and 2024 and also used the aliases Geescadde, Fanax, Gardhuub and Ali Dheere.
According to NISA, Nunow played a role in planning and carrying out major attacks, including the October 14, 2017 bombing at the Zoobe intersection in Mogadishu, the Ex-Control Afgooye attack and the attack known as Soobe 2. It also linked him to attacks targeting hotels and locations along Mogadishu’s Lido Beach.
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NISA said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to target Al-Shabaab leaders and networks involved in planning, organising and carrying out attacks, with support from international partners.
The agency described his killing as a setback for the group’s leadership and networks, saying such operations were part of efforts to weaken armed groups operating in Somalia.
NISA urged members of the public to share information about security threats and activities linked to Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants through its 199 hotline.