Senior ISIL Commander Captured in Puntland, Somalia

Authorities in Puntland, Somalia, have announced the capture of Abdirahman Shirwac Aw-Saciid, a senior commander of ISIL’s assassination squad, Al Jazeera reported.

Aw-Saciid surrendered to police in the Cal Miskaad mountains during an ongoing offensive against the group. His capture follows recent U.S. airstrikes targeting ISIL leadership in the region.

Aw-Saciid, also known by the alias “Laahoor,” was responsible for extorting local businesses and orchestrating attacks on military installations. The ISIL branch in Somalia has significantly strengthened over the past few years, bolstered by foreign fighters and enhanced revenue streams. Analysts noted that the group’s tactics have evolved, evidenced by their use of booby-trapped vehicles in a December assault on a military base.

The Puntland Security Forces are intensifying efforts to combat ISIL, parading newly trained soldiers and equipment in Bosaso.