MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 30, 2026 — Several senior Somali military officers have reportedly been detained following a deadly Al-Shabaab attack on government forces near Jameeco, in the Buurhakaba area of southern Somalia, on October 26.
Those reportedly detained include Colonel Hassan Kaafi, deputy commander of the Gorgor 17th Brigade, Colonel Aadan Baaruud and another commander from the same brigade. Separate reports have also identified a Danab commander named Colonel Aadan among those detained, although it remains unclear whether the reports refer to the same officer.
The officers are reportedly under investigation over allegations of negligence during the operation, including failures in defensive positions that may have exposed government forces to the attack. Al-Shabaab reportedly destroyed and captured military vehicles and equipment during the fighting.
The reported detentions follow growing scrutiny of the operation, which involved Gorgor, Danab and other Somali military units. Somalia’s Ministry of Defence has acknowledged damage to military vehicles but has not disclosed the number of government soldiers killed or wounded.
The ministry earlier claimed that approximately 75 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed and 56 wounded during the battle. Those figures have not been independently verified.
Somali military authorities have not publicly confirmed the reported arrests, disclosed any charges against the officers or announced the findings of an investigation.
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