By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, 6 November 2025 — The Somali government says an estimated 868 militants have been killed in 220 airstrikes since February this year, including 52 senior figures described by officials as linked to Al-Shabaab and ISIS.
Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi disclosed the estimate while briefing the Upper House on Wednesday, saying the strikes were carried out by Somali forces with support from international partners in theatres stretching from Lower Jubba to the Golis Mountains.
Fiqi stressed that the operations targeted militant leadership, command centres and supply routes. He also emphasised that, despite ongoing external support, Somalia cannot rely indefinitely on foreign partners for its security.
“The Khawarij are now in a state of serious collapse, as many of their key leaders and central command figures have been eliminated,” he told senators.
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The minister noted that the government is focused on completing security reforms, consolidating gains in recovered areas and improving support for soldiers and families of troops killed in action.
Fiqi said the government remains confident that sustained reforms and expanded national capability will allow Somalia to assume full national security responsibility as international forces scale back.
