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| Africa Horn |
| Somali Army Brigadier General Killed in Frontline Shooting |
| 2025-05-18 |
| [ShabelleMedia] Somali Army’s 26th Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Abdirahman Hujale, was shot and killed on Saturday on the frontlines near Moqokori, in the Hiiraan region. The shooting was carried out by a soldier named Abdullahi Hassan Ahmed, who was subsequently gunned down by fellow troops at the scene, according to security officials. The bodies of both the commander and the assailant were airlifted to Mogadishu for further investigation, according to security sources, who spoke to Shabelle Radio. This marks the second high-profile assassination of a senior military officer this year. Last month, Colonel Nur Farey was also killed near Afgoye, 30 kilometers from Somalia’s capital, in a similar attack by an individual in military uniform. The killing of Brigadier General Hujale raises concerns about internal security within the Somali military and the potential for ongoing threats within the ranks. The government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the killing of Commander Hujale. His killing marks the latest in a string of high-profile assassinations of senior Somali military officers since 2022, underscoring the fragile security situation in the Horn of Africa nation. In April, Lieutenant Colonel Nur Farey, commander of the 14th October Brigade, was killed near Afgooye town in the Lower Shabelle region. He was reportedly shot dead by a soldier while addressing troops at a local base. Since early 2022, several top Somali military figures have been targeted in similar attacks, often in areas where government forces have been engaged in fierce battles with al Shabaab. The deaths highlight the persistent dangers faced by Somali military leaders operating in volatile regions. Al Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the federal government for over 15 years and often targets both military personnel and civilians. Related: Moqokori: 2025-03-21 Al-Shabaab strikes Halane Base Camp which houses Western Embassies Moqokori: 2022-10-25 Somalia: Al-Shabaab siege at Tawakal Hotel ended by Jubaland forces Moqokori: 2022-09-28 More than ten terrorists killed in central Somalia Related: Hiiraan : 2025-04-30 Somalia Plans to Retake Al-Shabaab-Held Town Ahead of Major Military Offensive Hiiraan : 2025-04-22 Somali President meets regional leaders over worsening security, Al-Shabaab resurgence; Somali army chief quits Hiiraan : 2025-04-20 Tensions Rise in Central Somalia as Al-Shabaab Militants Advance |
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