MOGADISHU, Somalia — September 4, 2026 — Somali political leaders and Jubbaland authorities have condemned a reported overnight airstrike on former prisons chief Gen. Mahad Abdirahman “Shub’s” home in Doolow, alleging an assassination attempt. The federal government denied involvement and promised an investigation, saying preliminary security information pointed to explosives detonating inside the property.

The incident in Gedo region drew criticism from former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre and former intelligence chiefs Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir and Abdullahi Mohamed Ali “Sanbaloolshe.”

Jubbaland authorities and lawmakers identifying themselves as the “Free Parliament” group directly accused Türkiye of conducting the attack. The competing explanations have not been independently verified, and no Turkish response was available in the material reviewed for this report.

Government denies involvement

In a September 4 statement, Somalia’s information ministry said security agencies had received preliminary information indicating that explosive materials being prepared inside a house in Doolow caused the explosions.

The statement did not name Shub, identify the occupants or provide evidence supporting that explanation.

The government said it would urgently appoint a fact-finding committee to investigate the circumstances, purpose and those responsible. It pledged to publish the findings when the investigation was complete.

Officials also warned against what they described as misleading accounts circulating before investigators had established the facts.

Sharif alleges assassination plot

Sharif accused Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration of orchestrating an attempt to assassinate Shub, describing the incident as part of organised political plots.

“This was an organised criminal act intended to assassinate the former commander of the Somali Custodial Corps, Gen. Mahad Abdirahman Adan,” he said.

The former president alleged that the administration was trying to mislead the public after the operation failed. He characterised its mandate as expired, a position also expressed by other critics in their statements.

Sharif expressed condolences over what he described as loss of life and property, without providing casualty figures. He warned that such incidents could deepen divisions and undermine international confidence in efforts to rebuild Somalia’s security institutions.

He urged security agencies to stay out of political disputes.

Kheyre and former intelligence chiefs warn of consequences

Kheyre described Doolow as a peaceful district in Jubbaland and warned that using armed drones in political disagreements could establish a dangerous precedent.

“Entrusting such lethal power to an administration without a clear mandate or a reliable accountability mechanism is irresponsible,” he said.

Fahad compared the reported attack with the September 2006 car bombing targeting then-President Abdullahi Yusuf in Baidoa. He argued that the earlier incident had consequences that shaped Somalia for two decades.

He warned that the Doolow incident could have repercussions extending to neighbouring countries and called for a comprehensive review of Somalia’s national security framework. He did not specify the changes he sought.

Sanbaloolshe separately said Shub had moved to Doolow seeking safety after being unable to live securely in Mogadishu and Baidoa.

He alleged that the government had previously used drones against him, Kheyre, Sharif, other politicians and traditional elders. His statement did not supply dates or evidence for those alleged incidents.

Sanbaloolshe also accused the administration of diverting international assistance intended to combat Al-Shabaab towards targeting political opponents. He called for free and fair elections, warning that political confrontation could create opportunities for the militant group.

Jubbaland accuses Türkiye

Jubbaland authorities accused Türkiye of carrying out the reported strike and alleged that its support for Mohamud was undermining Somalia’s unity, security and recovery.

The “Free Parliament” lawmakers also alleged an assassination attempt by Türkiye. The account of their remarks did not include evidence establishing responsibility.

The Southwest administration aligned with Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed “Laftagareen” issued a similar accusation and requested an independent international investigation.

Security sources previously cited by Baidoa Online said Shub and members of his family sustained minor injuries. That account has not been independently verified. A confirmed casualty toll was not available in the supplied reports.

The incident comes amid tensions between federal authorities and Jubbaland, alongside a confrontation involving Laftagareen’s supporters over Southwest State’s leadership.

Laftagareen’s information ministry separately alleged that Turkish F-16 aircraft attacked his forces in Baidoa on September 3. It said the forces were engaged in a political conflict and rejected suggestions that they belonged to Al-Shabaab or another extremist group.

The ministry demanded an explanation from Ankara and disclosure of who requested and authorised the alleged operation.