Wednesday July 15, 2026
Beledweyne (AX) — Somali troops and international partners killed 42 al-Shabab militants and injured another 12 in airstrikes in the Hiiraan region, the Ministry of Defence said Tuesday.
The strikes hit Goobo village, roughly 10 kilometres north of Mahas district, where al-Shabab fighters had regrouped following their defeat by Somali forces in Sullaay and Waab-weyn on Monday afternoon, according to a ministry statement.
The ministry said the operation also destroyed a military vehicle, militant positions and defensive fortifications used by al-Shabab.
“The ongoing operations have dealt a significant blow to al-Shabab and weakened the group’s ability to organize and operate,” the statement added.
In recent months, the ministry said, Somali National Armed Forces and their international partners have inflicted substantial losses on al-Shabab, killing hundreds of fighters as well as several of the group’s leaders.
The Ministry of Defence commended the Somali National Armed Forces and local Ma’wisley forces, citing their courage and sacrifice in the campaign against al-Shabab.
“We thank Somalia’s international partners for their support in counterterrorism operations,” it added.
The ministry and Somali National Armed Forces command said they would press ahead with operations against al-Shabab leaders and fighters until the group’s threat has been eliminated.
