On December 24, 2024, a precision airstrike conducted by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) successfully targeted and eliminated Mohamed Mire, a high-ranking leader of the Al-Shabaab militant group, in southern Somalia. The operation took place approximately 10 kilometers southwest of Quyno Barrow in the Lower Shabelle region, a known stronghold for Al-Shabaab activities.

The operation was carried out in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

Profile of Mohamed Mire

Mohamed Mire, also known as Abu Abdirahman, was a senior leader within the al-Shabaab terrorist organization who was killed in a U.S. airstrike on Christmas Eve, 2024, near Kunyo Barrow in Somalia‘s Lower Shabelle region.

Mire was one of Al-Shabaab’s longest-serving members, holding several critical roles within the organization over the last 15 years. He managed the group’s regional governance in Somalia and served as its interior minister, overseeing a shadow governance structure that extended al-Shabaab’s control over parts of the country.

Additionally, Mire was a member of Al-Shabaab’s central shura council, playing a vital role in the group’s strategic decision-making processes.

In October 2022, the U.S. Department of State designated Mire as a specially designated global terrorist, highlighting his significant role within Al-Shabaab. His association with extremist activities dates back even further, as he was believed to have been part of Al Ittihad al Islamiyya, a precursor to Al-Shabaab, fighting against international forces in the 1990s.

Mire’s death is a substantial blow to Al-Shabaab, targeting one of its most influential leaders and long-standing operatives.