Somalia security operations kill at least 28 al-Shabaab militants
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency said Mudallib had played a direct role in organizing and plotting attacks in the Buulo-burde and Jalalaqsi districts.
Mohamed DhaysaneWednesday June 3, 2026
Somali forces, working with international partners, killed 28 al-Shabaab militants in coordinated operations in the Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions, according to an official statement released Tuesday.
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Among those killed in the airstrikes was Abdirahman Abdi Mudallib, identified as a senior terrorist figure in Hiran, along with five other militants.
The Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency said Mudallib had played a direct role in organizing and plotting attacks in the Buulo-burde and Jalalaqsi districts.
The agency said the operation followed intelligence reports showing that nearly 70 militants had assembled about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) south of Masaajid Cali Gaduud, carrying a range of weapons and preparing actions intended to undermine security in Middle Shabelle.
“Once confirmed, (agency) forces and their partners launched a targeted operation that eliminated 23 militants,” the agency said in a statement.
Officials said the strikes were part of a broader campaign to wipe out the “khawaarij” and help safeguard the security and stability of Somali citizens. The term khawaarij is used by the Somali government to refer to the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, repeatedly attacking security forces, government officials and civilians.
Since last July, the Somali army, backed by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international partners, has intensified operations against the group in support of the central government.
AUSSOM’s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council last December, with a UK-backed resolution extending authorization until this Dec. 31.
