HIIRAAN, (HAN) — A senior commander of the extremist group Al-Shabaab, identified as Ali Qoyane, was killed on Saturday in the village of Mubah in Somalia’s central Hiiraan region, local sources said. The killing was carried out by Ma’awisley clan fighters, who have been actively resisting Al-Shabaab’s presence in the area.
Qoyane was reportedly involved in multiple violent attacks against civilians, including the brutal killing of a displaced man in the village of Afardood in 2022. Local residents said his actions had caused widespread fear and anger among communities in Hiiraan.
The Somali Supreme Court had previously sentenced Qoyane to death by firing squad for his crimes, but he was killed before the sentence could be carried out. Witnesses said the Macawiisleey fighters confronted Qoyane in Mubaax and succeeded in neutralizing him.
Residents and local leaders hailed the killing as a victory for community-led efforts against Al-Shabaab, highlighting the role of local militias in reclaiming territory and protecting civilians. “This is justice for the people of Afardood and the surrounding areas,” said one community elder, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.
Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency in Somalia for over a decade, has lost significant ground in Hiiraan and other central regions in recent years, thanks in part to coordinated operations by local militias and government forces.
The Somali government has not yet issued an official statement on Qoyane’s death. Analysts said the incident underscores the ongoing challenges Al-Shabaab faces from both armed groups and community resistance in areas where its influence had previously been strong.
