(25-05-23) MOGADISHU – Osman Mohamed Abdi, known locally as Moallin Osman, a high-ranking figure within Alshabab, is reported to be in critical condition after a Somalia National Army and AFRICOM drone strike carried out earlier this week in the Jilib district of the Middle Juba region. The leader’s health status was revealed on Thursday by Somali State Media, painting a bleak picture of his current state.
Osman, who was targeted while concealed within a residential house, sustained severe injuries in the operation. As a result, he has undergone numerous surgeries and remains in an altered state of consciousness, raising questions about his ability to return to his previous role within the terrorist organisation.
The Somali government’s press release states that Moallin Osman was the linchpin of Alshabab’s foreign affairs team. He was charged with coordinating the recruitment and arrival of foreign fighters into Somalia and propagating Alshabab’s extremist ideology. Osman’s critical role within Alshabab underscores the significance of the successful operation and its potential to disrupt the group’s activities.
Despite his current status, sources within Somalia confirm that Osman had recently been elevated to the role of Head of Defence for Alshabab, revealing the significance of his influence within the militant group. His incapacitation is likely to have substantial implications for the organisation’s operations, particularly concerning the recruitment and indoctrination of foreign members.
