In a joint operation this week, Somali troops and US forces accomplished a significant victory by eliminating Maalim Ayman, a senior commander of the al-Shabaab militant group, who had a staggering $10 million bounty placed on his head by the United States.
The announcement was made by the information minister of Somalia, shedding light on a pivotal blow to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militants who have persistently waged a 16-year insurgency against Somalia’s fragile central government while asserting control over extensive rural territories.
“Maalim Ayman, a senior leader of al-Shabaab, was confirmed to have been killed in a joint operation by the Somali National Army with assistance from US forces on December 17th,” Information Minister Daud Aweis said on X on Thursday.
The US had targeted Ayman due to his involvement in an attack on an air base in Kenya in January 2020, which resulted in the deaths of three Americans. The State Department had placed a substantial reward on information leading to his capture, attributing him to the planning of multiple terrorist attacks not only in Somalia but also in neighboring countries.
While Washington has collaborated closely with Mogadishu in countering al-Shabaab, the success of the Somali government’s offensive, supported by local clan militias and backed by US and African Union forces, has encountered a recent stalemate. This halt in progress has raised concerns about the government’s capacity to combat the entrenched Islamist group.
A study conducted by George Washington University’s Program on Extremism last year highlighted that Jaysh Ayman was established by al-Shabaab with the intent to infiltrate Kenya. This unit, which has gained increasing autonomy, comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, including foreigners, dual nationals, and both Somali and non-Somali Kenyans.
Despite the initial six-month mandate, the African Union force deployed in Somalia in 2007 remains stationed on the ground, emphasizing the prolonged and complex nature of the conflict that continues to demand concerted efforts for resolution.