- Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (Cabdullaahi Axmed Cirro)Abdullahi Ahmed Irro (1937–2022): his training in Cairo and Moscow, the capture of Godey in 1977, his arrest after the 1978 coup attempt, and his later work teaching strategy.
- Abdulqadir Mumin (Cabdiqaadir Muumin)Abdulqadir Mumin: preacher in Sweden and Britain, al-Shabaab figure in Puntland, founder of the Islamic State in Somalia in 2015, and his reported role in the group's wider network.
- Aden Hashi Ayro (Aadan Xaashi Cayroow)Aden Hashi Ayro (c. 1976–2008), first military leader of al-Shabaab: background, the Islamic Courts, the insurgency of 2007, and his death in a US strike.
- Ahmed Abdi Godane (Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr)Ahmed Abdi Godane (1977–2014), al-Shabaab's emir 2007–2014: background, rise, the al-Qaeda link, the 2013 purge, Westgate, and his death in a US strike.
- Ahmed Diriye (Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah)Ahmed Diriye (Abu Ubaidah), al-Shabaab's emir since 2014: background, earlier posts, leadership, designations and public statements, from the sources.
- Ahmed Mohamed Hassan (Ahmed Dheere), the pilot who refused to bomb HargeisaAhmed Mohamed Hassan (Ahmed Dheere), the Somali Air Force pilot who refused the 1988 order to bomb Hargeisa: the order, his flight to Djibouti, exile, and the honours he later received.
- Ahmed Omar Jess (Axmed Cumar Jees)Ahmed Omar Jess: leader of the Absame wing of the Somali Patriotic Movement, his alliance with Aidid, control of Kismayo in 1992–93, and the contest with Morgan.
- Asli Hassan Abade (Asli Xasan Cabaade)Asli Hassan Abade (born 1958), Somalia's pioneering air force pilot: her training, first solo flight in 1976, career, peace campaigning and later life, from the sources.
- Daud Abdulle Hirsi (Daa'uud Cabdulle Xirsi)Daud Abdulle Hirsi (1925–1965), the first commander of the Somali National Army: early life, police career, his role after independence, and how he is remembered.
- Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Fuad Shongole)Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Fuad Shongole), senior al-Shabaab figure: his years in Sweden, return to Somalia in 2004, public statements, UN sanctions from 2010 and the 2012 US reward.
- Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-TurkiHassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki (c. 1944–2015): Ogaden fighter, al-Itihaad leader, founder of the Ras Kamboni Brigade, Islamic Courts commander, and senior al-Shabaab figure.
- Hassan Dahir AweysHassan Dahir Aweys (born 1935): army officer, then leader in al-Itihaad, the Islamic Courts, the ARS and Hizbul Islam, his years in al-Shabaab, and his 2013 custody.
- Hassan Mohamed Nur 'Shatigadud' (Shaati Gaduud)Hassan Mohamed Nur 'Shatigadud' (1946–2013): chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army, president of the first South West State, and finance minister in the Transitional Federal Government.
- Hussein Farrah Aidid (Xuseen Faarax Caydiid)Hussein Farrah Aidid (born 1962): US Marine reservist, leader of the Somali National Alliance from 1996, the Cairo Declaration, and his posts in the Transitional Federal Government.
- Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow (Ibraahim Sheekh Muxyidiin Addow)Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyadin Addow, commander of the Somali National Army from June 2023 to November 2024: earlier career in the army and the presidential guard, his appointment and his dismissal.
- Ismail Ali Abokor (Ismaaciil Cali Abokor)Ismail Ali Abokor (born 1937): Sandhurst-trained officer, member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, Vice President from 1971 and Speaker of the People's Assembly 1979 to 1982.
- Mahad Karate (Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame)Mahad Karate (Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame): earlier career, his role over al-Shabaab's Amniyat and finances, US and UN designations, and the dispute over reports of his death.
- Mohamed Ali Samatar (Maxamed Cali Samatar)Mohamed Ali Samatar (1931–2016): army commander, defence minister, vice-president and prime minister under Siad Barre, and the US case Samantar v. Yousuf.
- Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade (Maxamed Ibraahim Xabsade)Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade (1952–2015): army officer, co-founder and deputy chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army, the 2002 Baidoa split, and his posts in the Transitional Federal Government.
- Mohamed Qanyare Afrah (Maxamed Qanyare Afrax)Mohamed Qanyare Afrah (1941–2019): co-founder of the United Somali Congress, Daynile faction leader, security minister, and a leader of the 2006 counter-terrorism alliance.
- Mohamed Said Atom (Maxamed Saciid Atam)Mohamed Said Atom (born 1966): leader of the Galgala armed group in Puntland, the fighting with Puntland forces from 2010, and his 2014 surrender to the federal government.
- Mohamed Said Hersi 'Morgan' (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan)Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan (1949–2025): northern commander, last defence minister of the central government, Kismayo in the 1990s, later Puntland adviser.
- Mohamud Muse Hersi "Adde Muse" (Maxamuud Muuse Xirsi "Cadde")Mohamud Muse Hersi (Adde Muse, 1937–2017): army general, Sanaag governor, SSDF commander and Puntland president 2005–2009, from Somali and international sources.
- Mukhtar Robow (Abu Mansur)Mukhtar Robow (born 1969): al-Shabaab co-founder and spokesman, his 2013 break and 2017 surrender, the 2018 South West election and arrest, and his role as minister from 2022.
- Musa Sudi Yalahow (Muuse Suudi Yalaxow)Musa Sudi Yalahow: Mogadishu faction leader, trade minister in the Transitional Federal Government, a founder of the 2006 counter-terrorism alliance, and later senator.
- Odowaa Yusuf Rageh (Odowaa Yuusuf Raage)Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, twice commander of the Somali National Army (2019/2020–2023 and 2024–2026): training, the 2020 attack on his convoy, his two terms and his replacement.
- Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (Cumar Xaaji Masalle)Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (1934–2014): army officer and defence minister, leader of the Somali National Front in Gedo, the fight with al-Itihaad, and the Sodere agreement.
- Osman Ali Atto (Cismaan Cali Caato)Osman Ali Atto (c. 1940–2013): Aidid's financier, his 1993 capture, the 1995–96 split and Mogadishu fighting, and his later role in the Transitional Federal Government.
- Salaad Gabeyre KediyeSalaad Gabeyre Kediye (1933–1972): army officer, a leader of the 1969 takeover, member of the Supreme Revolutionary Council, arrested in 1971 and executed in 1972.
- Yusuf Abdi Ali (Tukeh)Yusuf Abdi Ali (Tukeh), commander of the Somali army's Fifth Brigade in 1987–1988: the 2019 US civil verdict, his defence, the 2024 immigration ruling and his removal to Somalia.
- Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde' (Indhacadde)Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde': Lower Shabelle, defence chief of the Islamic Courts in 2006, Hizbul Islam, and state minister for defence in 2009–2010.
Military and armed-group figures
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