A U.S. airstrike, conducted in coordination with Somali forces on December 24, 2024, near Kunyo Barrow in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, killed senior al-Shabaab leader Mohamed Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed Mire’s death on Monday. According to the command, a second al-Shabaab militant was also killed in the strike. No civilians were harmed during the operation. The details of the mission were not disclosed.
Mire was one of al-Shabaab’s longest-serving leaders, holding key roles in the group’s shadow governance. He served as the “governor” of Islamic Provinces, equivalent to an interior minister, overseeing regional administration and taxation efforts.
Mire also played a significant role in al-Shabaab’s strategic decision-making as a member of its central shura council. The U.S. Department of State designated Mire as a global terrorist in 2022 under Executive Order 13224 for his leadership within the group.
Mire’s involvement with al-Shabaab, an Islamist insurgent group that pledged loyalty to Al-Qaeda, dates back decades, and he was part of the first generation of Somali jihadists. He reportedly participated in fighting against international forces in the 1990s, potentially as a member of Al Ittihad al Islamiyya, a precursor to al-Shabaab.
AFRICOM Commander Gen. Michael Langley reiterated the importance of the operation, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to counterterrorism. “Al-Shabaab remains a serious global threat,” Langley said.
Somali officials praised the operation, with the Somali Information Ministry confirming Mire’s death and stating that international cooperation was vital to the mission’s success.
