Somalia's government says at least 30 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in a series of airstrikes carried out by the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), with support from international partners, in the Middle Shabelle region this week.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the strikes targeted locations in Gayfo, Ruun Idiris and Ali Gaduud that authorities described as militant facilities used for recruitment, training and the storage of weapons and military equipment.
The ministry said the first operation took place on 24 June and targeted what it described as a mobilisation centre in Gayfo, where fighters and weapons stockpiles were present.
Three further strikes were conducted on 25 June. Officials said one operation destroyed a training camp in Ruun Idiris, while another targeted armed militants gathering in Ali Gaduud who were allegedly preparing attacks.
In a statement published on social media, the Defence Ministry said the operations resulted in the deaths of approximately 30 militants and destroyed vehicles, motorcycles, weapons, ammunition and other military supplies.
“The Ministry of Defence and the Command of the Somali National Armed Forces reaffirm their commitment to sustaining operations against Al-Shabaab wherever they seek refuge, with the aim of strengthening security, stability and lasting peace across Somalia,” the statement said.
The claims have not been independently verified.
Somalia has been engaged in a long-running campaign against Al-Shabaab, an Islamist militant group linked to al-Qaeda, which has carried out attacks across the country for more than a decade.
The latest reported operation comes nearly three weeks after Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced that 28 militants had been killed during separate operations in the Middle Shabelle and Hiraan regions.
According to NISA, 23 militants were killed during an operation in Masaajid Ali Gaduud following intelligence reports that around 70 fighters had gathered south of the area. A second operation in Buq-aqable reportedly killed five militants, including a senior commander identified as Abdirahman Abdi Mutallib.
