Somalia’s defence ministry said on Sunday that a precision airstrike killed 15 al-Shabaab fighters in the Middle Shabelle region, as authorities step up efforts to disrupt the militant group’s roadside bomb operations.
In a statement, the ministry said the strike targeted a mobile unit allegedly attempting to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along a strategic roadway used by military and civilian convoys.
Officials said a vehicle carrying explosives was destroyed along with weapons caches. The claims could not be independently verified.
Joint operation
The ministry said the strike was conducted by the Somali National Army (SNA) in coordination with unspecified international partners.
Similar operations in recent months have involved the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and Turkish forces operating in Somalia, though the ministry did not specify which ally provided support in Sunday’s operation.
Al-Shabaab, an affiliate of al-Qaeda, frequently uses roadside bombs to target security forces and civilian transport routes.
Under AUSSOM framework
The operation took place under the mandate of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia in early 2025.
Security officials have increasingly focused on pre-emptive strikes against IED units in Middle and Lower Shabelle, regions that have seen sustained insurgent activity.
The Feb. 15 strike followed intensified air operations earlier in the year, including strikes on Feb. 13 targeting Islamic State-linked militants in the Golis Mountains in northern Somalia.
Continued campaign
“Our forces remain committed to securing the key transport arteries of our nation,” the defence ministry said, describing the strike as a significant blow to the group’s operational capacity.
The Somali government has pledged to maintain coordinated air and ground offensives against militant networks. Analysts say the increased tempo reflects improved intelligence sharing and growing operational capacity under the AUSSOM framework.
Further updates are expected as authorities assess the impact of the strike on al-Shabaab’s activities in the region.
