AFGOYE, Somalia — At least 12 al-Shabaab militants were killed in an overnight operation near Afgoye, a key supply corridor outside the capital, the Somali government said, underscoring stepped-up pressure on the insurgent group across multiple fronts.
Security officials said the operation unfolded in the vicinity of Jambalul, close to Afgoye, where forces targeted bunkers the militants were preparing to use. The raid escalated into a fierce firefight. Militants responded with mortar fire that caused civilian casualties, officials said, without giving a toll. Two security agents were injured.
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The Afgoye corridor has long been a strategic artery for logistics and commerce near Mogadishu and a flashpoint for al-Shabaab raids. Government forces have sought to degrade the group’s ability to stage attacks from positions along secondary routes that feed the capital.
In a separate development, Somali authorities on Wednesday evening reported a possible airstrike near Jilib, a longstanding al-Shabaab stronghold, targeting leading militant figures. The National Intelligence and Security Agency said details of the strike would be released after assessments are complete.
Officials say Somali National Army units and Jubaland regional forces are closing in on militants operating along the Jilib corridor, a route fighters have used to move men and materiel. Security teams recently seized Jamaame, opening what commanders described as a pathway for a final push against entrenched positions around Jilib. The U.S. Africa Command has been providing aerial support to local partners as part of the broader campaign.
There was no immediate independent verification of casualties reported by the government in either operation. Al-Shabaab did not issue an immediate comment.
Separately in Mogadishu, the army said it foiled a suicide attack at General Dhagabadan Camp, one of Somalia’s key military training centers. According to the Army Command, vigilant soldiers shot a bomber attempting to force entry at the gate on Wednesday, triggering an explosion that injured some guards. Security forces cordoned off the area and said normal operations at the facility had resumed.
The coordinated operations reflect a renewed tempo against al-Shabaab, which still exerts influence across much of rural central and southern Somalia and has demonstrated resilience despite sustained pressure. Officials said the overnight actions were intended to disrupt planned attacks and dismantle defensive infrastructure before it can be used to launch assaults on towns and military positions.
While the government emphasized tactical gains, the mortar attack near Afgoye highlighted the persistent risk to civilians in areas where militants operate in proximity to communities and key roadways. Authorities urged residents to report suspicious movements and steer clear of active security zones during operations.
Somali forces, backed by regional partners, have in recent months sought to deny al-Shabaab freedom of movement by hitting command nodes, storage sites and transit corridors. The reported strike activity near Jilib, if confirmed, would align with that approach by targeting leadership elements as ground units tighten control along adjacent routes.
Security officials said updates on the Jilib-area strike and the condition of those wounded at Dhagabadan Camp would be provided as more information becomes available.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
