Somali, allied forces launch Middle Shabelle airstrike, killing 17 militants

Somali military says airstrike kills 17 al-Shabab militants in Middle Shabelle

MOGADISHU, Somalia — The Somali National Army, working with international partners, carried out an overnight airstrike late Monday 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 hit the Jabad Godone area, which the army described as a planning site for militant operations, particularly bombings targeting civilians and public infrastructure. The military said the operation eliminated fighters linked to al-Shabab, the al-Qaida-affiliated group that Somali officials often refer to as the Khawarij, a term historically used for extremist factions.

In its statement, the army said the airstrike also destroyed equipment and vehicles used to conduct attacks, characterizing the mission as a targeted effort to deny the group staging grounds and logistical support in central Somalia.

Officials said the operation is part of a broader campaign aimed at disrupting the group’s ability to organize and execute bombings in Middle Shabelle and beyond, where militants continue to target civilians, security forces and government officials.

The Somali military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining planned operations against the group, saying the goal remains to restore security and stability and protect the Somali population. Authorities have emphasized that intensified military pressure, including airstrikes and ground offensives, is essential to weakening al-Shabab’s operational capacity.

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. Security officials say severing those rural networks is critical to reducing the frequency and lethality of bombings in populated centers.

Tuesday’s announcement underscores the government’s continued reliance on precision strikes to complement ground operations, a strategy aimed at degrading militant leadership, munitions depots and transport corridors. The army framed the Jabad Godone strike as both a tactical success and a signal of sustained pressure on planning hubs used to orchestrate attacks.

The government has repeatedly urged residents in central regions to cooperate with security forces as operations expand, arguing that community support helps identify safe houses, bomb-making sites and movement routes. Officials say the objective is to create space for local governance and services to take root as the military clears and holds territory.

The latest strike comes as Somali authorities press a months-long campaign to tighten security around key population centers and infrastructure, while attempting to disrupt the financing and logistics that enable the group’s operations. The military did not report casualties among civilians or Somali forces in the overnight action.

While al-Shabab has lost ground in several areas under sustained military pressure, the group retains the capacity to conduct asymmetric attacks, including bombings and targeted assassinations. Somali officials say continued coordination with international partners and the steady tempo of operations are intended to blunt that threat and protect civilians.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.