MOGADISHU – The militant group Alshabaab has released a new propaganda video claiming that one of the attackers involved in the October 5, 2025 assault on the Godka Jilacow security facility was the son of the group’s own spokesperson, Ali Dheere.
In the video, which began circulating on militant-affiliated channels on Saturday, Al shabaab identifies the assailant as Abdiraxmaan Sheikh Ali, presenting him as a fighter who carried out the operation. The claim marks a rare instance of the group publicly linking a senior leader’s family member to a high-profile attack.
The video also features two foreign fighters whom Al shabaab says participated in the assault. According to the group, one of the men is from Tanzania and the other is from Ethiopia, specifically belonging to the Oromo ethnic group. The inclusion of foreign operatives underscores the transnational nature of the insurgency, which has long recruited fighters from across East Africa.
The attack on Godka Jilacow, a facility associated with Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), took place on October 5, 2025. It was notable for its tactical sophistication: the militants used a vehicle bearing the official NISA logo and wore uniforms identical to those worn by NISA forces. The ruse allowed the attackers to bypass security checkpoints before launching the assault, which resulted in casualties and significant damage to the facility.
Somali government officials have not yet issued a formal response to the claims made in the latest Al shabaab video. NISA spokespersons could not be immediately reached for comment.
Security analysts say the video appears designed to project strength and operational reach at a time when Al shabaab has faced internal divisions and sustained military pressure from Somali forces and international partners. The use of a senior leader’s son as a propaganda tool also signals the group’s attempt to deepen the narrative of personal sacrifice among its ranks.
The October attack was one of the most brazen in Mogadishu in recent years, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities in the capital’s security architecture despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.