MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), with support from international partners, conducted airstrikes targeting an al-Shabaab convoy in the Middle Shabelle region, the government said on Wednesday.
The precision operation struck militant vehicles in Sigato and Labi Aw-Hasan, areas between Ruun-Nirgood and Al-Kawther districts, destroying several vehicles carrying heavy explosives and killing the militants on board, according to a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Information.
One vehicle, a Toyota Prado was reportedly destined for an attack on a mosque in Al-Kawther, the ministry said. Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, has a history of targeting religious sites, including mosques in El Ali Ahmed, Daru-Nimca, Buuloburde, Bahdo, and Qayib.
The Somali government hailed the operation as a success in thwarting a potentially deadly assault and reaffirmed its resolve to combat terrorism. “We remain committed to protecting civilians and eradicating terrorist threats,” the ministry said, adding that security forces would continue efforts to dismantle extremist networks.
There was no immediate comment from al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for nearly two decades. The group frequently exaggerates its claims of military successes while suffering losses from government and allied operations.
The airstrikes come amid heightened militant activity in the region, with al-Shabaab launching multi-front attacks in Hiran and Middle Shabelle in recent days, underscoring the ongoing security challenges facing Somalia and its international partners.
