Somalia: Al-Shabab chief finance controller killed in ambush

Image

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The African Union force in Somalia says it has killed a "chief finance controller" for the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab extremist group.

The AU force in a series of tweets on Thursday says the commander, the head of the tax collection in Lower Shabelle region, was killed after an ambush on Monday on an al-Shabaab meeting in Bariire area, about 60 kilometres south of Mogadishu.

The extremists bring in funding by taxing the communities they control.

The AU force says another seven al-Shabaab fighters were killed on Sunday when their attack on a forward operating base was "botched."

The multinational force in the coming years is expected to draw down and hand over responsibility for Somalia's security to the country's military.

Al-Shabaab holds rural parts of southern and central Somalia and continues to target the capital with high-profile attacks.

Related Articles

Kampala Communiqué Exposes Rift Between Somalia and Regional States

Political observers said the absence of several regional heads of state, many of whom sent ministers or other senior officials instead.

  • Somalia

    01-08-2026

  • 06:02AM

Uganda Pushes for Inclusive Political Roadmap in Somalia as AUSSOM Talks Highlight Divisions

Djibouti has maintained support for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration, while several troop-contributing countries have not.

  • Somalia

    31-07-2026

  • 11:40AM