The Somali National Army (SNA), in collaboration with the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), carried out a series of airstrikes in central Somalia that killed several senior Al-Shabaab militants and affiliated elders, the government confirmed on Thursday.
The airstrikes, supported by Somali Air Force aircraft and international partners, targeted Al-Shabaab positions in the Dib-dheer area of El-Buur district in the Galguduud region.
According to a government statement, the operation eliminated several top figures within the group, including Ahmed Macalin – Al-Shabaab leader in El-Buur, Abu Salman – Al-Shabaab leader in El-Garas, Galguduud, Hussein Ali Badal – Al-Shabaab leader in Xiindheere, Budul Farax Geedi – Al-Shabaab leader in El-Qooxle, and Sakariye – Al-Shabaab commander in Galguduud.
The elders killed in the attack were also identified as Mire Cagdheer – Al Shabaab leader, Muse Omar – Al Shabaab leader, Mohamed U Rur – Al Shabaab leader and Haji Bashir – Al Shabaab leader.
The SNA Command stated that the targeted individuals had convened in the Maalin Nugur area to pressure local communities into supporting or joining Al-Shabaab.
The operation follows a March 13 confrontation in Bay-Aadle village, where local militiamen engaged directly with Al-Shabaab fighters.
Authorities said the latest strike is part of broader efforts to dismantle the group’s command structure and disrupt its recruitment and coercion campaigns in central Somalia.
