SNA Forces Deal Major Blow to Al-Shabaab in Hiiraan Night Raid

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somali security forces have killed 15 Al-Shabaab militants, including senior field commanders, in a major intelligence-led operation in Hiiraan region, marking a significant victory in the country’s ongoing fight against terrorism.

According to security officials, the operation, launched by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) with support from international partners, targeted a group of militants attempting to regroup near Gayacad junction, close to Mabaax.

Conducted in three precise waves overnight, the raid struck militants’ hideouts, neutralizing the threat before they could merge with other cells. Five additional fighters were wounded, and a manhunt is underway for those who fled.

The Somali government has stepped up military pressure on the group across central regions, combining intelligence operations with ground offensives and strategic support from allies, including the United States and the African Union.

Government officials hailed the operation as a clear signal of progress in restoring security and dismantling terrorist networks that have long destabilized the country.

Al-Shabaab, linked to al-Qaeda, has waged a brutal insurgency for over a decade, but Somali authorities say the group is increasingly on the back foot due to intensified counterterrorism operations.