Somali Forces Kill 33 al-Shabaab Militants in Major Middle Shabelle Counter-Terror Raids

Somalia’s intelligence service says at least 33 al-Shabaab fighters have been killed in a series of coordinated military operations in the Middle Shabelle region, aimed at preventing what authorities described as planned imminent attacks.

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) stated that the raids, conducted with support from international partners, targeted locations where militants were reportedly regrouping and preparing for operations.

According to the agency, several hideouts were destroyed during the offensive, including a house allegedly used by senior commanders and fighters coordinating attack plans.

Officials also reported that vehicles used by the group to transport fighters were set ablaze, disrupting their mobility and logistical capabilities.

The operation was launched following intelligence reports that around 90 militants had gathered in the area, raising fears of a possible escalation in violence.

NISA said the raids significantly weakened the group’s operational strength and neutralised an immediate threat, although the figures and claims have not been independently verified.

The latest offensive forms part of ongoing efforts by Somali forces to intensify pressure on al-Shabaab, an armed group that has waged a prolonged insurgency against the government, carrying out attacks on civilians, security forces, and state officials.

Since mid-2025, Somali security forces, working alongside the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and other partners, have stepped up military operations to reclaim territory and dismantle militant networks.

The African Union mission’s mandate was recently extended by the United Nations Security Council through the end of 2026 under a UK-backed resolution.