Mogadishu (Somalistandard) – Somali official’s say Al-Shabaab has ousted a senior military leader who commanded fighters operating along the borders of Somalia and Kenya amid growing rift and purges within the group’s leadership.
Officials said that Maalim Ayman, the commander of a military force known as “Jeyshu Eyman.”, an Al-Shabaab guerilla force which operates in the border areas and has been responsible for orchestrating deadly attacks in Kenya is among several high-profile leaders ousted amid the purge despite reports that he was suspected that was planning to join the ISIS militia.
Ayman is also understood to be a close ally of Salman Muhajir, a foreign jihadist who was also recently expelled from Al-Shabaab.
Eyman is believed to have assumed leadership of this group’s overall military in 2009 before taking charge of Jeysh Ayman, where he remained in charge before his ouster.
However, due to a recent internal rift among the group’s top leaders, including other leaders including Jafar Sudani, have been removed from their positions, as per officials.
According to the government report, the leadership of the “Jeyshu Eyman” army has since been transferred to Abdisamad Nasta who hails from the Mudug region, specifically Galkayo to replace Ayman.
Abdisamad is known to have a close friendship with Mohamed Amin, who is believed to be a close relative of Mahad Karatee, a senior leader within Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab’s decision to remove Eyman is considered a significant blow to the group’s operations and influence in Kenya, given his extensive knowledge of the operational territories along the border.
Copyright ©️ 2023 Somali Standard, All rights reserved.
