Thursday September 25, 2025
FILE - Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers march toward a designated operation area, heavily armed and ready for action during a recent mission against Al-Shabaab militants in central Somalia.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s intelligence service said Thursday that its forces, supported by international partners, carried out simultaneous operations in three regions, killing several senior al-Shabab commanders and disrupting militant activity.
The National Intelligence and Security Agency, known as NISA, said its units conducted targeted raids in Hiiraan, Galgaduud, and Lower Shabelle. The operations killed key commanders accused of organizing bombings and assassinations, as well as fighters preparing new attacks.
In Hiiraan’s Moqokori district, NISA reported the death of Abdi Hiray, a senior al-Shabab commander, along with two other leaders. Hiray was accused of directing multiple deadly attacks on civilians. Officials described his death as a major setback for the group and a relief for residents of Hirshabelle state.
In Galgaduud’s Nooleeye area, security forces killed 11 militants after intelligence indicated al-Shabab was mobilizing fighters there. Authorities said the raid neutralized an imminent threat.
A third operation in Lower Shabelle’s Tugaarey village, under Awdheegle district, killed more than 10 militants and left several others wounded. NISA said the fighters had been preparing coordinated attacks but were stopped before carrying them out.
The federal government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining military pressure on al-Shabab, which has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s government since 2007.