Somali forces kill 12 al-Shabab fighters in Bay region, Defense Ministry says

Monday April 6, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali government forces, supported by international partners, killed 12 al-Shabab fighters in a planned operation near Baidoa and Daynuunay in the Bay region, the Ministry of Defense said Monday.

According to the ministry, the strike targeted militant positions around the vital corridor that connects Mogadishu and Baidoa. Several other fighters were wounded in the assault, though officials did not release additional details.

The ministry said the mission was part of a wider push to weaken al-Shabab’s operational strength and tighten security in areas recently reclaimed from the group.

“The operation is part of the government’s efforts to weaken the power of al-Shabab and ensure general security in the country,” the statement said, adding that joint operations with international partners would continue to reduce the group’s threat to civilians and strengthen national stability.

The latest offensive came just two days after the federal government announced that the important road linking Mogadishu and Baidoa had been reopened. The highway had remained largely unusable for 14 years because of al-Shabab control and repeated attacks.

Authorities said the reopening followed sustained military pressure on militants in the Daynuunay area, where government forces reported inflicting significant losses.

In a separate development, the Somali National Army promoted officers and soldiers who took part in the campaign to secure the highway, recognizing their role in restoring access to the strategic route for both supplies and civilian travel.

The Bay region continues to be a key front in Somalia’s broader fight against the al-Qaida-linked insurgent group, which has kept up attacks despite intensified military operations across central and southern parts of the country.