Tuesday July 14, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — U.S. forces, working with Somalia’s federal government, carried out an airstrike in Lower Shabelle that Somali and U.S. officials say targeted al-Shabab positions near Sablaale.
U.S. Africa Command said the strike occurred on July 13 in the Sablaale area, roughly 190 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu.
“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and our citizens abroad,” the command said in a statement.
AFRICOM did not disclose casualty figures related to the airstrike.
Separately, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence reported Monday that the Somali National Armed Forces’ Danab Commandos killed seven al-Shabab fighters — including a commander — during a night operation in Lower Shabelle on Sunday.
The ministry said the Danab unit executed a planned raid shortly after midnight in Sablaale district, striking sites occupied by al-Shabab fighters.
According to the defence ministry, the commander killed in the raid had played a role in mobilizing fighters for the group.
Military officials also said Somali forces destroyed two locations they allege were being used by al-Shabab to train recruits and disseminate extremist ideology.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defence said the facilities were employed to radicalize individuals and encourage acts of terrorism.
The Sablaale operation followed intensive strikes the previous day: Somali officials said the Somali National Army, working with international partners, killed at least 26 al-Shabab militants in airstrikes on the group’s positions in Middle Shabelle region.
The Danab Brigade — whose name means “Lightning” — is an elite special operations element of the Somali National Army. Formed in 2013 with training and support from the United States, the unit operates as a rapid-reaction force in missions against al-Shabab.
