MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali intelligence forces, working with international partners, carried out a planned operation in the Buq-aqable area of the Hiiraan region, wounding three senior al-Shabab commanders and destroying vehicles and facilities used by the group.
The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said its forces had been tracking the movements of the commanders before launching an assault on a site used to coordinate militant activities.
Those wounded include Ali Hussein, described as the commander of al-Shabab militants in central regions, Mowlid Jiis, identified as the group’s representative in Buulo-burde district, and Mohamed Hiiraan, said to be the al-Shabab envoy in Jalalaqsi district.
Security officials said the operation also targeted facilities where the group was recruiting and training fighters. At least five vehicles were destroyed, including three armed “technicals”, one of which was mounted with a heavy machine gun.
Authorities said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle al-Shabab, which has waged a long-running insurgency aimed at toppling Somalia’s internationally backed federal government.
