Earlier this year, al-Shabaab has restructured its Amniyat branch in response to the shifting security dynamics in Somalia. This report provides an in-depth analysis of developments within the group’s most secretive intelligence unit, focusing on the appointment of Abdullahi Osman aka Engineer Ismail as its leader. It examines how this leadership transition reflects a renewed phase of operational adaptation, with implications for Mogadishu’s security landscape and broader stability. The report highlights potential risks to political leadership, security institutions, and critical infrastructure, while offering insights relevant to policymakers, practitioners, and researchers engaged in counterterrorism and urban security.