Senior Military Commander Killed by Own Soldier in Central Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia, May 17 – The commander of Somalia’s 26th Brigade, Colonel Abdirahman Hujaale, was shot dead on the outskirts of Moqokori town in the central Hiiraan region by one of his own soldiers, Somali regional officials confirmed on Saturday.

The motive for the shooting remains unclear, but authorities from the HirShabelle state said investigations are underway. Colonel Hujaale had played a prominent role in leading operations against al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab militants in central Somalia, particularly in Hiiraan.

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.

Despite ongoing offensives supported by African Union forces and international partners, the group retains a deadly presence across much of southern and central Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE