MOGADISHU, Somalia — An airstrike conducted by allied forces in support of the Somali military resulted in the deaths of twelve Al-Shabaab fighters in the Haawaay area near Sablale town, Lower Shabelle region, late Friday.
The operation, which occurred around 10:48 p.m. local time on November 22, targeted a group of militants, including three high-ranking commanders. According to military sources, this strike was seen as a significant disruption to Al-Shabaab’s command structure.
Reports from the region indicate that the airstrike was aimed at reducing the operational capacity of Al-Shabaab, the militant Islamist group linked to al-Qaida, which has been launching attacks in Somalia for years. The use of air strikes has become a common tactic in the ongoing conflict to minimize risks to ground troops and local civilians.
Reactions on social media have been mixed, with some users expressing satisfaction over the weakening of Al-Shabaab, while others advocate for broader strategies that include political and economic solutions to address the root causes of insurgency.
The full impact of the strike on the local community and any potential civilian casualties are currently under review. The incident underscores the volatile security situation in southern Somalia and the continued international effort to combat terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
