Mogadishu, July 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), backed by international security partners, has killed 16 al-Shabaab militants, including two senior operatives, in a series of coordinated counterterrorism operations targeting the extremist group’s infrastructure in central Somalia.
According to NISA, the operations were carried out on Saturday evening in the Miirtaqwo and Tardo areas of the Middle Shabelle and Hiran regions. The raids also destroyed vehicles, equipment and facilities used by the militant group.
One of the key targets was a facility identified by authorities as the group’s “Security House,” which was being used to store equipment for Radio Andalus, al-Shabaab’s propaganda outlet.
NISA said the operation resulted in the deaths of Abdisamad Mohamed, who headed the Radio Andalus propaganda unit, and another operative identified as Ali Salad. A third militant was seriously injured. Authorities also reported the destruction of broadcasting equipment used by the station to disseminate extremist propaganda.
The agency said the operations form part of an ongoing campaign to dismantle al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and eliminate facilities used to plan and execute terrorist activities.
In a subsequent operation in the Tardo area of Hiran, Somali forces targeted militants who were reportedly mobilising to launch attacks in the Goobo and Waabweyn areas.
Security analysts said the latest operations underscore intensified efforts by Somali authorities and their international partners to weaken al-Shabaab’s network and improve security in regions that have witnessed prolonged militant activity.
The latest offensive follows a major operation last month in the Godey area of southern Somalia, where the Somali National Army, supported by international partners, carried out airstrikes that killed 35 al-Shabaab militants and injured 20 others.
The Ministry of Defence had said those strikes targeted militant hideouts, weapons caches and cave networks, triggering secondary explosions that indicated the presence of concealed explosives and military supplies. Authorities also reported that vehicles loaded with explosives, allegedly intended for future terrorist attacks, were destroyed during the operation.
FOLLOW NOW
