Aden, Yemen – Confirmed military intelligence reports from Mogadishu, supported by aerial reconnaissance imagery analysis, indicate that a precision drone strike was successfully carried out in Yemen this February. The strike targeted a senior leader in cross-border arms smuggling networks.
Operation details and identification
Intelligence sources confirmed that the deceased was Jaber Yahya Ali Ahmed, also known by his nom de guerre “Jaber Jakame.” Jakame was a veteran member of the Somali militant group al-Shabaab, having joined the organization in February 2003. He was a Somali national (from the Darod/Majerteen clan), and his mother is believed to be of Yemeni origin. He was between 38 and 40 years old and was responsible for liaising with al-Shabaab’s foreign affairs. He was also the chief architect of arms procurement operations between the two sides of the Gulf of Aden.
Intelligence Verdict: The arms supply line across the Gulf of Aden
Security assessments indicate that Jakami was the most dangerous link in arms procurement networks connecting facilitators based in Yemen with the logistical infrastructure of Somali militants.
He played a pivotal role in managing maritime smuggling routes that supplied both al-Shabaab and ISIS in Somalia with military equipment.
Security gaps and regional challenges
This strike brings renewed attention to reports by the UN Monitoring Group, which documented how intermediaries in areas like Puntland exploit security gaps in law enforcement. Observers believe that the “arrest and release” policy practiced in some areas toward suspected al-Shabaab members has created a conducive environment for these networks to persist. The elimination of “Jakami” underscores the need for stricter international oversight. Furthermore, more decisive US and UN measures are required to disrupt supply chains and establish clear accountability standards for counterterrorism efforts in the region.
