By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia, 9 January 2026- A joint operation by the Somali National Army and U.S. forces destroyed a major Al-Shabaab explosives factory in southern Somalia overnight, killing 18 militants, the Somali Ministry of Defence said on Friday.
The airstrike targeted a facility in the Saakow District of the Middle Juba Region, which officials described as the largest explosives production hub operated by the al-Qaeda-linked group.
"The facility was completely destroyed during the operation," the ministry said in a statement. It added that the 18 militants killed included specialized engineers responsible for manufacturing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used in attacks across the country.
The U.S. military, which typically provides air support and intelligence to Somali ground forces through its Africa Command (AFRICOM), has not yet issued a separate confirmation of the strike. However, the Somali government emphasized that the mission was "coordinated with international partners."
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The destruction of the factory marks a significant blow to al-Shabaab’s technical infrastructure. The group has for years used IEDs as its primary weapons against the government buildings, African Union peacekeepers, and civilian targets in the capital, Mogadishu.
Somali authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying counter-terrorism efforts, noting that sustained cooperation with international allies is essential to "safeguard the safety and security of the public."
Al-Shabaab, which seeks to overthrow the federal government and establish its own rule, still controls significant swathes of rural southern and central Somalia.
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