Mogadishu, (Dawan Africa) — Somali security forces, in coordination with international partners, killed at least 12 members of the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab during a targeted operation in Aadan Yabaal, a town in the Middle Shabelle region, the Federal Government of Somalia announced on Saturday.
The operation, carried out jointly by the Somali National Army (SNA), the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), and international allies, targeted what authorities described as an al-Shabaab weapons cache and planning hub. The compound was allegedly used by the group to organize attacks and store military supplies.
“During the operation, a significant cache of weapons, military supplies, and combat vehicles was destroyed,” the Ministry of Information said in an official statement.
The government added that among those killed were senior operatives whose movements and activities had been under surveillance for some time. The raid forms part of an intensified campaign to dismantle al-Shabaab’s logistical networks and leadership structures.
Images and confirmation of the operation were shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of NISA, showing destroyed vehicles and military equipment believed to belong to the group.
Broader Counterterrorism Push
The Somali government emphasized that the operation in Aadan Yabaal is part of an ongoing national effort—supported by international partners—to degrade al-Shabaab’s capabilities and restore stability in liberated areas.
“This is part of our sustained effort to weaken the enemy’s operational capacity and to enhance security across the country,” the government noted.
Aadan Yabaal has historically been a hotspot for al-Shabaab activity due to its strategic location between southern and central Somalia. The town was recaptured by Somali forces in late 2022 as part of a broader military campaign to reclaim territory from the militant group.
While the government has reclaimed significant ground over the past two years, al-Shabaab continues to pose a major threat, launching asymmetric attacks including bombings and ambushes targeting civilians, officials, and military positions.
The federal government, with the support of African Union forces and other international allies, continues to conduct coordinated operations to eliminate remaining militant strongholds and restore civilian governance.
