African Union, Somali forces capture senior al-Shabaab commander

The Somali army and African Union peacekeepers captured a senior Al-Shabaab commander late Thursday during a joint operation in the Lower Shabelle region.

Salaad Cusmaan Macalin, also known as Sahm, was captured on the northwestern outskirts of Mubarak, according to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.

Salaad, 40, joined al-Shabaab in 2009.

He was accompanied by a group of fighters, including foreign nationals.

During interrogation, the mission said Salaad revealed that an associate, Ismaaciil, a Kenyan national, had volunteered for a suicide mission.

Another suspect, Salman, who was identified only by his first name, escaped.

Al-Shabaab has been engaged in an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians.

Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union mission and other international partners, has stepped up operations against the group.