Tuesday 13 jun 2026 {HMC} Somali National Army forces, working with international partners, carried out an overnight airstrike in the Middle Shabelle region that killed 17 militants and destroyed weapons and vehicles used in attacks on civilians, the military said Tuesday.
The strike took place late Monday in the Jabad Godone area, a location the army described as a planning site for militant operations, particularly bombings targeting civilians and public infrastructure.
In a statement, the Somali National Army said the operation eliminated fighters linked to the al-Qaida-affiliated group al-Shabab, which Somali officials often refer to as the Khawarij, a term used to describe extremist factions. The military said the strike also destroyed equipment and vehicles used to carry out attacks.
Officials said the operation was part of a broader campaign aimed at disrupting the group’s ability to organize and execute bombings in central Somalia, where militants continue to target civilians, security forces and government officials.
The army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining planned operations against the group, saying the goal remains to restore security and stability and protect the Somali population.
Middle Shabelle has been a key battleground in Somalia’s long-running fight against al-Shabab. Despite sustained pressure from Somali forces backed by international partners, the group continues to operate in rural areas, using them as staging grounds for attacks.
The Somali government has said intensified military operations, including airstrikes and ground offensives, are essential to weakening the group’s operational capacity and preventing further attacks on civilians.
