Thursday June 26, 2025
A weathered water tower rises above the brush in a Mabaah village in Hiiraan region
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali intelligence forces and international partners killed 18 al-Shabab militants in a targeted airstrike late Wednesday near Mabaah village in the Hiiraan region, officials said.
The strike, led by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in coordination with foreign military allies, destroyed two pickup trucks carrying the fighters as they attempted to flee.
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“The strike eliminated 18 Khawarij militants and neutralized two combat vehicles the enemy intended to use for escape,” the government said in a statement, using its preferred term for al-Shabab.It marked the second air operation targeting the group in Hiiraan in less than a week.
The Somali government has intensified military operations across central and southern Somalia since early 2024, aiming to retake territory from the al-Qaida-linked group. The campaign, supported by local militia forces and foreign partners—including U.S. and Turkish advisors—has regained key revenue corridors and disrupted al-Shabab’s mobility in several regions.
Despite recent losses, al-Shabab remains entrenched in rural areas where it retains considerable influence and continues to stage attacks against civilians, military convoys, and government officials.
Officials say retaking control of key areas is critical to enabling public service delivery, securing transportation routes, and preparing for nationwide elections scheduled for late 2026.
Al-Shabab has not commented on the latest strike, and casualty figures could not be independently verified.