ASAL POST | SECURITY | July 14, 2026
MOGADISHU – At least 26 Al-Shabaab militants have been killed in coordinated airstrikes targeting militant positions in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, the Federal Government of Somalia has announced.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the government said the strikes were carried out in Adow Jilib, Gayfo and Qordheere, where Al-Shabaab fighters had reportedly gathered.
The ministry said the operation was conducted by the Somali National Army (SNA) with support from international partners as part of an ongoing campaign to degrade the group’s operational capabilities.
Besides the militant casualties, the airstrikes destroyed a military-style pickup truck and a fuel tanker allegedly used by Al-Shabaab to transport fighters, weapons and logistical supplies.
According to the ministry, the operation forms part of a broader military strategy aimed at eliminating senior Al-Shabaab commanders, disrupting the group’s logistics network and preventing future attacks against civilians and security forces.
The Somali government reiterated its commitment to sustaining military pressure on the extremist group, noting that joint operations with international partners will continue until areas under Al-Shabaab influence are fully secured.
Authorities have increasingly relied on coordinated air and ground offensives in recent months as they seek to weaken Al-Shabaab’s presence in central and southern Somalia.
The Ministry of Defence also expressed gratitude to Somalia’s international partners for their continued support in counterterrorism operations.
