Mogadishu– Brigadier General Nuur Mohamed Gaabow, known as Nuur Farey, the commander of the 14th October Division of the Somali National Army (SNA), was tragically assassinated on Saturday in the Ado-Diidible area of the Lower Shabelle region.
Military sources confirm that the incident occurred during a routine inspection when the General was addressing his troops ahead of an anticipated military offensive against Al-Shabaab militants.
According to eyewitness accounts, a man dressed in military fatigues suddenly opened fire on General Nuur Farey, fatally wounding him on the spot.
The identity of the assailant remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether the attacker was an infiltrator posing as a member of the SNA or an insider with malicious intent.
A senior SNA official stated, “We are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of Brigadier General Nuur Farey.
Brigadier Nur Mohamed Gaabow, aka Nur Farey, commander of the SNA's 14th October Brigade, was fatally shot during a routine inspection in Ado-Didible, Lower Shabelle.
An Al-Shabaab operative, disguised in military camouflage, infiltrated the area where the officer was… pic.twitter.com/duMnKyU4Wm
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) April 5, 2025
The situation is being treated with the utmost priority.”
The assassination of General Farey has dealt a significant blow to the Somali National Army’s operations in the Lower Shabelle region, where the army has been intensifying efforts to eliminate Al-Shabaab’s presence in the area.
His death raises concerns about the security and loyalty within the ranks of the SNA, particularly as the country faces mounting challenges in its fight against the militant group.
The federal government has not yet issued an official statement regarding the assassination, but the incident comes at a critical time, as the Somali military is preparing for large-scale operations aimed at pushing Al-Shabaab out of its remaining strongholds in Lower and Middle Shabelle.
The loss of General Farey is seen as a severe setback for these efforts.
Military analysts and security experts are closely monitoring the situation as authorities work to uncover the full details behind the assassination.
The Somali National Army has vowed to continue its operations despite this significant loss, with a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the region.
