The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced a major success in its counterterrorism campaign, reporting the elimination of 27 Al-Shabaab operatives during a targeted 12-hour operation in the Yaaqle area of Middle Shabelle. The mission, which targeted a gathering point for the insurgency group, included senior commanders among those killed.
“This targeted operation successfully eliminated militants from the Kharijite group who were being assembled by hostile forces from various locations with the intention of causing harm and suffering to the Somali people,” read a statement from NISA.
The agency noted that the operation unfolded as planned and also led to the destruction of combat vehicles and military equipment used by the group. “The mission concluded successfully,” NISA confirmed, underlining the significance of disrupting Al-Shabaab’s logistics and mobility.
Middle Shabelle has been a pivotal region in the fight against Al-Shabaab, which has launched numerous deadly attacks on civilians, government officials, and security forces since being ousted from the capital in 2011. The Somali government, supported by international partners, has been intensifying operations to reclaim territory and dismantle the group’s strongholds.
NISA stressed that while this operation marked a notable achievement, the broader fight against Al-Shabaab and similar extremist groups is ongoing. Additional operations are planned to sustain pressure and maintain momentum.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida-linked militant organization, has remained a persistent challenge for Somali authorities, impacting regional stability with attacks that extend beyond national borders.
