Defence Ministry says joint operation with international partners wounded 18 militants as four others surrendered to government forces.
🚨ASAL POST | SECURITY | JULY 18, 2026
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s Ministry of Defence says a joint airstrike carried out by the Somali National Army (SNA) and international partners has killed 25 Al-Shabaab fighters in the Hiran region of central Somalia.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the ministry said the overnight operation targeted an Al-Shabaab base in Suullaay, approximately 17 kilometres south of Teedaan, where the militant group had established a stronghold.
According to the ministry, the precision airstrike also left 18 other Al-Shabaab fighters wounded, while four suspected militants surrendered to government forces in the aftermath of the operation.
The ministry identified those who surrendered as Adan Mohamed Jim’ale (Abas), Ibrahim Adan Dahir, Adan Abshir Abdi, and Nurow Awid Ali (Amir).
Officials said several other militants fled the area following the strike, abandoning their weapons as government forces advanced.
The latest operation forms part of ongoing military efforts by the Somali government, supported by international partners, to dismantle Al-Shabaab strongholds and restore security in areas affected by the insurgency.
