Mogadishu– The Somali National Army’s elite Danab Commandos have arrested two suspected Al-Shabaab members during a security operation in the Towfiiq–Tora-Toorow area of Lower Shabelle, the Federal Ministry of Defence has announced.

In a statement, the Ministry confirmed that preliminary investigations identified one of the detainees, named as Zakariye, as the son of Moalim Abdirahman, a senior Al-Shabaab leader currently being pursued by government forces. The Ministry described the arrest as a notable step in efforts to disrupt the group’s leadership and operational networks.

During the raid, Danab forces seized a motorcycle allegedly used by the militants for movement, along with weapons and other materials indicating plans to carry out further attacks in other areas, with civilians believed to be among the intended targets.

The operation was conducted in villages located between Towfiiq and Tora-Toorow as part of ongoing nationwide efforts to dismantle Al-Shabaab cells and reinforce the security of local communities. The Ministry of Defence stated that security forces will continue targeted operations aimed at neutralising militant threats and stabilising recovered areas.

Lower Shabelle has in recent days seen intensified military activity under Operation Duufaanta Aamusan,(Silent Storm), conducted by Somali government forces in coordination with the African Union mission AUSSOM, with the objective of degrading Al-Shabaab’s capacity and restoring lasting security in the region.