Somali Forces Kill Nearly 30 Al-Shabaab Militants in Middle Shabelle Airstrikes

MOGADISHU – The Federal Government of Somalia has provided further details on a series of airstrikes conducted against Al-Shabaab positions in the Middle Shabelle region over a 48-hour period, reporting the deaths of nearly 30 militants and the destruction of training camps, logistics hubs, and weapons stockpiles.

The operations, carried out by the Somali National Army in coordination with international partners, targeted the villages of Gayfo, Ruun Idiris, and Ali Gaduud, areas within Hirshabelle State that the government said had been used by the group as operational bases, training grounds, and storage facilities for weapons, ammunition, and military supplies.

The Somali National Army, supported by international security partners, conducted a targeted airstrike overnight in the Middle Shabelle region, reportedly dismantling a key Al-Shabaab logistical facility. The operation took place in the Jabad Godone area and resulted in the deaths of 17 militants, according to a statement released by defence officials.

Three Days of Precision Strikes

The first strike, carried out on June 24, targeted a militant assembly point in Gayfo, where Al-Shabaab was reportedly organising operations. A statement from the Ministry of Defence said the strike killed several militants and destroyed equipment stored at the site.

On June 25, three additional airstrikes were executed. The first of these struck a training facility in Ruun Idiris, which the government said was used to prepare fighters for attacks against civilians and security forces. Later the same day, a strike targeted Ali Gaduud, where militants were reportedly gathering to plan further operations.

Somali security forces, supported by international partners, have significantly ramped up military operations across southern Somalia, striking key militant strongholds and reclaiming territory from Al-Shabaab. The coordinated surge, involving elite commando units and airstrikes, has targeted the group’s leadership, infrastructure, and territorial grip in the Bay, Middle Juba, and Lower Shabelle regions.

Casualties and Destruction

According to the Ministry of Defence, approximately 30 Al-Shabaab militants were killed during the operations. Two vehicles, three motorcycles, and a cache of weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies used by the group were also destroyed.

The Somali National Army, in close collaboration with international security partners, conducted a precisely coordinated airstrike in the Ugunji sector of the Lower Shabelle region. The counter‑terrorism initiative targeted a significant gathering of Al‑Shabaab militants who were preparing to launch attacks against civilians and state installations.

Broader Counter-Terrorism Campaign

The Ministry of Defence and the Somali National Army High Command reaffirmed their commitment to sustained operations against Al-Shabaab, stating that such strikes would continue across all regions where the group maintains a presence.

“The Ministry of Defence and the Somali National Army command reaffirm that operations to eliminate the Kharijites will continue across all areas where they are hiding, to ensure the security, stability, and peace of the Somali people,” the statement read.

The Ministry also expressed gratitude to international partners who have supported Somalia’s counter-terrorism efforts, acknowledging their role in enabling the precision and effectiveness of the operations.

The United States has significantly ramped up its aerial campaign in Somalia, with nearly 50 airstrikes conducted in the first quarter of 2026 alone — a massive increase in military actions directed against extremist organisations operating in the Horn of Africa.

Way Forward

The airstrikes in Middle Shabelle are the latest in an intensified campaign against Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 15 years. In a separate intelligence‑led air operation in the Mudug region, approximately 70 Al‑Shabaab militants were killed and eight military vehicles destroyed, disrupting supply chains and command structures in central zones.

The federal government has consistently stated that counter-terrorism operations will continue until all terrorist elements are eliminated from Somali territory and lasting security is established for the population. Operations are ongoing across multiple fronts, with Somali forces and their international partners maintaining pressure on militant strongholds in both central and southern Somalia.