Somali army says it killed senior al-Shabab leaders in Middle Shabelle raid
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s national army said Sunday it killed senior al-Shabab leaders and roughly 15 fighters in a planned security operation in the Jabad Godane area of the Middle Shabelle region, describing the strike as a significant blow to the group’s leadership and logistics.
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In a brief statement, the Somali National Army said the operation targeted a militant cell accused of planning attacks and targeting civilians. The army identified several of those killed as key figures within al-Shabab’s local command structure.
- Jaafar Aden, described as the group’s commander in the Jabad Godane area
- Abdirisaq Ali, the group’s medical officer
- Da’ud, a field commander who led a cell operating in the area
Military officials said the strike degraded al-Shabab’s leadership, coordination and logistical networks in Middle Shabelle. The statement did not provide details on how the operation was conducted or whether any government forces were wounded or killed.
The army’s casualty figures could not be independently verified, and al-Shabab did not immediately comment. The group, which is linked to al-Qaida, has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade and frequently carries out bombings, assassinations and raids targeting security forces, officials and civilians.
Sunday’s action was described as part of an ongoing national campaign to dismantle militant networks and protect communities vulnerable to al-Shabab intimidation and violence. The army said similar operations would continue across the country in the coming days.
Authorities did not disclose whether foreign partners were involved in planning or intelligence support for the operation, and no timeline was given for follow-on actions in Middle Shabelle. The army also did not specify whether weapons, documents or communications equipment were recovered at the scene.
While government forces regularly announce battlefield gains, the lack of immediate independent access to many front-line areas in Somalia often makes it difficult to confirm casualty numbers or assess the longer-term impact on militant operations. The military’s characterization of a degraded al-Shabab network in Jabad Godane will likely be tested by the movement’s ability to coordinate or attempt retaliatory attacks in the region.
Al-Shabab remains one of the most resilient insurgent groups in East Africa, embedding cells across rural strongholds and using extortion, coercion and propaganda to maintain influence. Somali officials have said their strategy centers on disrupting these networks, eliminating field commanders and denying militants freedom of movement between villages and districts.
The Somali National Army urged residents to cooperate with security forces and report suspicious activity as operations continue, reiterating its stated goal of reducing the group’s capability to mount attacks against civilians and key infrastructure.
Further details on the Middle Shabelle operation were not immediately available. Authorities said updates would be provided as more information is confirmed.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
