DOLOW — Conflicting reports emerged on Friday over the condition of former Somali Custodial Corps commander Gen. Mahad Abdirahman, widely known as “Shub,” following a reported drone strike on his residence in Doolow district, in the southern Gedo region.
Horn Africa News reported that the residence where Shub was staying was targeted in a heavy drone strike. The news organization said the aircraft were believed to have been operated by Turkey, but said it had not independently confirmed the identity or operator of the drones.
The report said Shub was inside the residence when the strike occurred.
His condition, however, remained unclear.
A statement attributed to Shub’s son and posted on Facebook said his father was safe after the incident. Horn Africa News said it was unable to independently verify the statement or establish Shub’s condition through other sources.
Reports circulating after the strike gave conflicting accounts. Some sources said Shub had been injured, while others denied that he had suffered injuries.
People described as being close to the former commander declined to provide details about his condition, according to Horn Africa News.
There were also unverified reports of deaths and injuries among officers linked to the leadership of the Laftagareen administration who were said to have been at or near the site of the strike. Those reports could not be independently confirmed.
The reported attack comes amid heightened political and security tensions in parts of southwestern Somalia, where rival political and armed actors have been involved in an increasingly volatile confrontation.
No independent confirmation was immediately available regarding the number of casualties, the identity of those targeted or who carried out the reported strike.
Horn Africa News said it was continuing to seek confirmation from multiple sources and would update its report as more reliable information becomes available.
This is a developing story.
