Somalia’s intelligence agency says 16 al-Shabaab militants, including two key operatives, were killed in joint operations targeting the group’s bases and propaganda network….reports Asian Lite News Desk
Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), supported by international partners, said it had killed 16 al-Shabaab militants, including two senior operatives, during a series of joint counter-terrorism operations in the country’s Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions.
The operations, carried out on Saturday evening, targeted the Miirtaqwo and Tardo areas, where security forces also destroyed vehicles and equipment belonging to the militant group.
According to NISA, the first raid struck an al-Shabaab facility known as the “Security House”, which was being used to store equipment for Radio Andalus, the group’s propaganda outlet.
The operation killed Abdisamad Mohamed, head of Radio Andalus’ propaganda unit, and militant operative Ali Salad, while another member of the group was seriously injured.
Security forces also destroyed broadcasting equipment used by Radio Andalus, which al-Shabaab has used to disseminate extremist propaganda.
“These operations are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle al-Shabaab and destroy the facilities and equipment used to carry out terrorist acts,” NISA said in a statement.
The agency said follow-up operations in the Tardo area of the Hiran region targeted al-Shabaab militants who were reportedly mobilising to launch attacks in the Goobo and Waabweyn areas.
Security analysts said the latest operations reflect Somalia’s intensified campaign to dismantle al-Shabaab’s operational networks and improve security in some of the country’s most volatile regions.
The latest offensive follows a major operation last month in the Godey area of southern Somalia, when the Somali National Army, backed by international security partners, carried out a series of airstrikes against al-Shabaab positions.
The Ministry of Defence said those strikes killed 35 militants and injured another 20 while targeting the group’s caves, weapons caches and hideouts.
According to the ministry, the strikes triggered multiple secondary explosions, indicating the presence of concealed weapons stockpiles, explosives and other military supplies.
“The site was also occupied by militants and vehicles loaded with explosives that had been prepared for use in terrorist attacks against Somalia,” the ministry said.
The Somali government has stepped up military operations against al-Shabaab in recent months with support from international partners, as it seeks to weaken the group’s ability to carry out attacks and regain control of territories long contested by the militants.
