The Doolow Strike: Somalia’s Political Crisis Enters a More Dangerous Phase

DOOLOW, Somalia — A drone struck the residence of General Mahad Abdirahman Aden, known as “Shub,” in Doolow on the night of September 3–4. His family said the general survived the attack.

Information emerging about the incident links the strike to Turkish-operated drones supporting Somalia’s federal government. Neither Villa Somalia nor Ankara has said who ordered or carried out the operation.

Türkiye maintains a military base in Somalia and trains and equips forces closely aligned with the federal government. Turkish drones are also actively involved in security operations inside the country.

The strike targeted a senior officer who politically opposes Villa Somalia and is associated with supporters of former South West president Abdiaziz Laftagareen. It followed fighting in Baidoa between federal forces and fighters aligned with Laftagareen.

The incident suggests that Somalia’s political confrontation may be entering a more dangerous phase—one in which air power and foreign military support could be used in internal disputes.

If weapons intended to fight Al-Shabaab are turned against political opponents, relations between the federal government and regional states could deteriorate further. The result could be armed retaliation, wider conflict and deeper foreign involvement in Somalia’s domestic power struggle.