The Somali Army has managed to leave gravely wounded this week the main leader of the jihadist organization Al Shabaab in the central region of Hiraan, Mustafá Cato, during an operation carried out in the locality of Mahaas that ended with the death of three commanders of the group.
Cato has become for months one of the priority targets of the Somali security forces within the offensive they have maintained for years against Al Shabaab, considered one of the most violent formations on the African continent and, as a branch of Al Qaeda, responsible for some of the deadliest attacks in the history of the country.
In a statement disseminated on social media, Somali Intelligence details that the military action took place on Wednesday and identifies the deceased as Abdi Hafid, head of an explosives unit; a commander known only by his nickname "El Talibán," in charge of rescue operations; and the person responsible for another local front of the group, Omar Husein.
As for Cato, Somali Intelligence has indicated that he managed to escape from the site of the assault, but they are keeping track of him and it is estimated that he is being treated for his wounds in the nearby municipality of Ceelbur.