Somali intelligence has revealed that the operational commander for ISIS in Somalia has been killed in Mogadishu, the country’s capital. The extremist identified as Mahad Moalim was killed on October 13 and he was found in Mogadishu believed to have been on a mission to oversee operations by pro-ISIS militants in Mogadishu and surrounding suburbs.
Mahad Moallim Jajab’s was killed by men wearing army uniform, an attempt to create a decoy. However, intelligence by S.I confirms that Al-Shabaab Amniyaat operatives tracked him down to a house in Zone-K, Mogadishu. Mahad Moalim, contrary to reports was Islamic States operational commander not deputy leader of IS in Somalia
Moalim was a high-ranking member of the ISIS faction in Somalia and his death only comes to confirm the internal wrangles in the terror organization as unconfirmed reports indicate that the group’s leader Abdiqadir Mumin is unwell. Mahad Moallim Jajab is an operational figure and aide to Abdulkadir Mumin.
Moalim was sanctioned by the United States in February specially designated global terrorist for facilitating shipments of weapons and fighters across the Gulf of Aden from Yemen. The assassination of Moalim is a clear indication of growing tension and possible infighting within the terror organization.
ISIS branch in Somalia, dubbed Abnaa Ul-Calipha was founded by Abdiqadir Mumin, an elderly British extremist and is said to have several dozen fighters mainly headquartered in the northern part of Somalia. While the group is not as large as the al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab it has been able to attract defectors from the latter and conduct attacks on Somali authorities and other targets.
