Monday March 25, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared war on Al-Shabaab, several soldiers, including key young officers, have been killed.
Recently, an attack in the Buslee area led to the death of a high-ranking officer from the Boslis forces, identified as Libaan Golcad.
This report details some officers and commanders from the Somali National Army who have perished or gone missing in the conflict with Al-Shabaab since President Mohamud's 2022 announcement.
The past year, 2023, saw a significant increase in commander fatalities since the conflict's outset.
Farhan Mohamud Adan (Qaroole)
On Sept. 30, 2022, Brig. Gen. Farhan Mohamud Adan, also known as Farhan Qaroole, the Police Commander of the Benadir region, was killed. The Somali Police's former spokesman, Maj. Sadiq Aden Doodishe, confirmed the general's death to the BBC.
Farhan was killed by an explosion in the Balcad district, about 30 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu. Before the explosion, Farhan had left his armored vehicle to encourage troops in the region. He had been leading security operations in the Basra area. His death prompted mourning among numerous government officials and past leaders.
Col. Abshir Shatakey
Col. Abshir Shatakey, a senior Somali army commander, was killed during an Al-Shabaab attack on a military base in Somalia's Central region on Jan. 17, 2023. He and other army personnel were ambushed at a base in Hawadley.
The base had been retaken from Al-Shabaab in October of the prior year. The attack followed the government's declaration of seizing the strategic city of Harardhere from Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab took responsibility for the Hawadley assault in the Middle Shabelle region, about 75 km north of Mogadishu.
Maj. Hassan Ture
Al-Shabaab militants attacked a Somali military base in Galcad on Jan. 20, 2023, killing 25 soldiers, including Col. Hassan Ture, the deputy commander of the Danab commando forces.
The U.S. Embassy in Somalia and the federal government extended their condolences, highlighting that Ture "sacrificed his life for Somalia and its people." Larry André, the former U.S. ambassador to Somalia, met with Ture's father in Mogadishu.
After his death, Somalia named the largest Danab forces camp in his honor, located in Balidoogle. The lethal attack began with an explosion heard by locals, followed by Al-Shabaab forces storming the camp. The siege occurred just days after the Somali army reclaimed the towns of Harardhere and Galcad.
Maj. Mukhtar Hassan Tifow (Shaah-macabe)
Col. Shah-macabe, commander of the 25th Brigade of Omar Bin Khattab, remains unaccounted for following an Al-Shabaab attack near Eel-dheer in the Galgaduud region three weeks ago.
"The man is missing and has not been found," stated Enemy Deeq, Shah Ma Cabe's mother. His status remains uncertain.
Shah-Maabe had led roughly 2,000 soldiers from Mogadishu to the front lines, particularly in the Galgaduud region's east, where they encountered Al-Shabaab forces.
Abdi Mohamed Sheikh Hassan (Suulnuug)
The 18th Eagle commando unit's treasurer in Somalia, Abdi Mohamed Sheikh Hassan (Sulnuug), was laid to rest in Mogadishu on Jan. 7 of this year.
The funeral was attended by government officials, army personnel, and civilians. At the time of his death, he was directing operations in the Mudug region against Al-Shabaab and succumbed to injuries sustained during combat.
Liban Golcad
On March 23, Al-Shabaab launched an assault on a Somali government military base in the Lower Shabelle region, specifically near Busley. The base, reportedly occupied by various units of the Somali Military, trained police, and security forces, was breached by militants.
Senior military officer Liban Golcad was confirmed dead following the assault, with additional soldiers reported missing.
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for over 57 soldier deaths, though this number remains unverified. The Somali government has yet to respond.
The war between the Somali government and Al-Shabaab is still ongoing, though it has slowed recently after government forces cleared some of their positions at the front lines.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service