(28-05-23) MOGADISHU — Abdirahman Macalin Ahmed, a top-ranking official of the Al-Shabaab militant group, has surrendered, according to the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The senior Al-Shabaab figure, also known within the terror organisation as Abu Said or Sharif, relinquished himself to authorities, providing a substantial victory for Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts.
For 16 years, Ahmed served as an advisor to Ahmed Godane, the former leader of Al-Shabaab who was killed by a U.S. drone attack on September 2014, on Barawe beach. His surrender marks a significant setback for the Al-Shabaab militia which has been responsible for numerous terror attacks in the region.
According to NISA, Ahmed held a myriad of influential positions within the organisation, making him a significant asset to Al-Shabaab’s operations. His roles included the head of the Banadir Regional Court, the General Head of Al-Shabaab, the head of finance in Lower Shabelle Region, and the deputy head of Al-Shabaab finance. His wide-ranging responsibilities further underline the significance of his surrender.
The surrender of such a key figure from Al-Shabaab could potentially disrupt the group’s operations and offer valuable intelligence to security agencies. NISA is likely to conduct extensive debriefing sessions to glean insights about Al-Shabaab’s current organisational structure, strategy, and future plans.
