Somalia intelligence agency says nine Al-Shabaab militants killed in raid

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali intelligence officials said Saturday that a series of coordinated raids in the Lower Shabelle region, carried out with support from international partners, left nine Al-Shabaab militants dead and destroyed equipment allegedly used to manufacture explosives.

In a statement, the National Intelligence and Security Agency, or NISA, said the first strike hit the Kuunyo Barrow area, where forces targeted what it called a major militant site. During the raid, six large generators believed to be used in making improvised explosive devices were set ablaze.

NISA said six fighters were killed in that operation, among them individuals it described as senior operatives. The agency did not release their names.

A second raid took place near Tugaareey, where militants were taking cover in a wooded area, according to the statement. Three more fighters were killed, while others escaped.

The agency said the assaults form part of continuing efforts by Somali authorities to erode al-Shabab’s capabilities and dismantle its networks across southern Somalia. Security officials said operations of this kind would go on until threats posed by al-Shabab and militants linked to the Islamic State group are removed.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, regularly stages attacks against government officials, security forces, and civilians as part of its campaign to overthrow Somalia’s federal government and enforce its hard-line interpretation of Islamic law.

AXADLETM