Mohamed Said Atom
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Mohamed Said Atom محمد سعيد اتوم | |
|---|---|
 Atom in 2016 | |
| Born | 1966 (age 59–60)[1] |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2009–2014 |
| Title | Amir |
| Movement | Al-Shabaab militant |
Sheikh Mohamed Said Atom (Somali: Sheekh Maxamed Siciid Atom, Arabic: محمد سعيد اتوم; born 1966) is a Somali arms-smuggler, faction leader and al-Shabaab commander.[2][3] On 7 June 2014, Atom surrendered to the Somali government.[4] He is from the Warsangali clan.[5]
An arms-smuggler on both U.S. and U.N. security watch-lists,[3][6] Atom has been tied to the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group of Islamist militants that is waging war against Somalia's Transitional Federal Government. According to a 2008 United Nations Monitoring Group report, he is “aligned with al-Shabaab and may take instructions from Shabaab leader Fu’ad Muhammad Khalaf ‘Shangole.’”[1][7]
Galgala conflict
In 2010, Atom's militia was stationed in Galgala, Bari region of Puntland. That same year, he declared war on the autonomous state, announcing on July 28 that: "We are members of the Shabab, and the Shabab are members of us. We have good contacts. We are united in our objectives."[8]
On August 8, 2010, Puntland Security Force launched an offensive against Atom's militants, who were hiding out in the Galgala hills. Atom had fled just before the attack that left more than 100 militants dead,[3] having reportedly misled his men prior to the Puntland army's offensive by promising reinforcements from Al-Shabaab via the town of Burao in neighbouring Somaliland.[3] By late October, Puntland military personnel had seized the last insurgent outposts.[9]
On May 11, 2011, fighting flared up again in the Galgala hills, as militants loyal to Atom attempted to ambush Puntland soldiers in an early morning raid.[10][11] Five Puntland troops were reportedly killed and four were wounded in the ensuing battle, while at least 21 of the Al-Shabaab-affiliated militiamen were slain. The remaining militants fled to their mountain hideouts, with Puntland army personnel conducting military operations in pursuit.[10]
On December 30, 2011, Atom's military attacked Puntland soldiers based in the Laag Village around 30 km from Bosaso. The fighting left two Puntland soldiers dead.[12]