Caaqil News -- On Tuesday, the First Degree Court of the Somali Armed Forces handed down a series of prison sentences—including a life sentence—against a group of individuals accused of operating a clandestine mechanical network that provided direct logistical and technical support to the Al-Shabaab militant group.
The court found the defendants guilty of collaborating with the terrorist organization, particularly in manufacturing and modifying vehicles used in deadly bombings that have claimed the lives of hundreds of Somali civilians over the past several years.
Mastermind Mechanic Sentenced to Life in Prison
The central figure in the network was identified as Cabdinaasir Mohamed Hassan, also known as Macalim Xaaji, who had allegedly been working with Al-Shabaab since 2018. According to court documents and statements from the prosecution, Cabdinaasir played a critical role in modifying and adapting vehicles used in car bombings, including some of the most notorious attacks in the capital Mogadishu.
The court noted that Cabdinaasir's work included:
Removing original vehicle identification numbers (VIN/Chassis numbers),
Replacing them with fake or altered codes to evade tracking by Somali security agencies,
Fitting vehicles with explosive devices and ensuring their operational readiness.
His involvement was specifically linked to the Soobe 2 bombing that occurred on October 29, 2022, one of the deadliest attacks in recent years, which involved a truck laden with explosives. The truck, which exploded near the Ministry of Education, resulted in the deaths of over 100 people and injured hundreds more. Investigations confirmed that the truck used in the bombing had been modified and prepared by Cabdinaasir.
Additionally, the court cited his links to other bombings, including attacks near the SYL Hotel and Beach View in Mogadishu.
Investigators said Cabdinaasir worked under the supervision of a senior Al-Shabaab operative named Khalid, from whom he received a monthly salary of $240, a Noha vehicle, and support to open and operate a mechanic garage used as a front for his terrorist activities.
His garage not only served as a technical hub for assembling explosive vehicles but also functioned as a contact point for other operatives. The court learned that he was connected to inmates already imprisoned for terrorism-related offenses, some of whom were killed in 2024 during a failed prison escape attempt involving armed confrontation with guards.
Cabdinaasir was arrested on August 19, 2024, during a security operation in Mogadishu. He was reportedly caught red-handed while working on vehicles intended to be used in future bombings targeting Somali civilians and government institutions.
Given the gravity of his crimes and the depth of his involvement with Al-Shabaab over a period of more than six years, the court sentenced Cabdinaasir to life imprisonment.
Associate Mechanics Receive Prison Sentences
In addition to Cabdinaasir, two other mechanics were charged and convicted for their roles in supporting the terrorist group. These individuals—Maadey Abdi Hussein and Ciise Maadey Abdi Hussein—were found guilty of providing technical services to Al-Shabaab during a visit to their stronghold in southern Somalia.
According to the court, Maadey was first introduced to Al-Shabaab through Cabdinaasir. In mid-2024, Maadey and his associate Ciise traveled to the militant-controlled town of Kunya Barrow, located in the Lower Shabelle region. There, they spent approximately one month repairing three malfunctioning vehicles belonging to Al-Shabaab.
Their journey involved traveling day and night, underscoring the urgency and secrecy surrounding their mission. The group was paid $400 by the militants for their services, from which Ciise received a $50 share.
Both individuals were arrested upon returning to Ceelasha Biyaha, a suburb of Mogadishu, where security forces had already received intelligence linking them to the operation in Kunya Barrow.
During the trial, Maadey admitted to traveling to Al-Shabaab territory and providing mechanical support but insisted he did not know the full extent of the vehicles’ intended use. The court, however, deemed this explanation insufficient, noting that his long-standing ties with Cabdinaasir and his willingness to travel to a known terrorist hub constituted deliberate collaboration.
Consequently, the court sentenced Maadey Abdi Hussein to two years in prison, while Ciise Maadey Abdi Hussein received a one-year sentence for his role in the operation.
Suspected Intermediary Acquitted
A fourth suspect, Abdiqadir Ali Farah Tabliiq, was also brought before the court. Authorities had accused him of acting as a middleman who facilitated connections between civilians sympathetic to Al-Shabaab and the group itself. Prosecutors claimed that Tabliiq had attempted to purchase a vehicle on behalf of the militants and had previously been arrested twice for suspected involvement in similar activities.
However, the court determined that the evidence presented against Tabliiq did not meet the burden of proof required for a conviction. The alleged vehicle purchase had not been completed, and no direct links were found between him and active Al-Shabaab cells.
As a result, the court dismissed all charges against Abdiqadir Ali Farah Tabliiq and ordered his immediate release, emphasizing that a fair justice system must also acknowledge the absence of conclusive evidence.
National and Legal Implications
This ruling is being viewed as a strong message from Somalia’s judicial and security institutions amid ongoing efforts to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s urban and logistical infrastructure. The group, which has waged a brutal insurgency against the Somali state for over a decade, has relied not only on fighters and weapons but also on extensive networks of supporters—including mechanics, drivers, financiers, and informants—operating in civilian guise.
By targeting this “hidden layer” of terrorism support, the Somali government hopes to disrupt the logistical chains that have enabled Al-Shabaab to carry out attacks in major urban centers.
Speaking to journalists after the sentencing, a spokesperson from the Military Court stated:
This verdict is not only about punishing the perpetrators. It sends a clear warning to all individuals who—knowingly or unknowingly—aid terrorist groups. There will be no impunity. The Somali state will use every legal means to protect its citizens from terror.”
The verdict also highlighted the increasing role of the Military Court in trying terrorism-related offenses, as civilian courts often lack the resources or protection to handle such sensitive cases. This court, staffed by military judges and prosecutors, operates under Somalia’s Transitional Constitution and the Penal Code, with specific mandates to address crimes related to national security.
International Perspective
International observers and partners, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have repeatedly emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and due process in Somalia’s fight against terrorism. This trial, which followed several weeks of proceedings and presented substantial forensic and testimonial evidence, was seen as a step toward greater transparency and legal accountability.
A senior official from a Western embassy in Mogadishu, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented:
It’s vital that Somalia continues to treat terrorism not just as a security problem, but also as a legal and governance challenge. Trials like these help build public trust in state institutions and weaken the ideological and logistical foundations of Al-Shabaab.”
Community Reaction
The sentencing was met with mixed reactions among Somali citizens. While many welcomed the court’s firm stance against collaborators of terror groups, some expressed concern over the potential for mistaken arrests or abuses in the rush to prosecute suspects.
Civil society groups urged the government to balance strong security enforcement with continuous legal reforms to ensure justice and accountability for all. Human rights organizations, meanwhile, praised the acquittal of Abdiqadir Ali Farah Tabliiq as an example of the judiciary’s willingness to exonerate where evidence is lacking.
A Mogadishu resident, speaking to Caaqil News, said:
We want to see more of this—punishing the real criminals who prepare bombs that kill our mothers, fathers, and children. But we also want a system that doesn't just sweep up everyone because of suspicion. The law must be fair.”
Conclusion
The sentencing of this mechanical network—particularly the life sentence given to the mastermind mechanic—marks a significant milestone in Somalia’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s operational ecosystem. By holding collaborators accountable through formal legal processes, Somali authorities are reaffirming their commitment to justice and the protection of innocent lives.
As Somalia continues its uphill battle against terrorism, cases like this illuminate both the complexity of the threat and the importance of maintaining a strong, fair, and independent judiciary.
