Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) says its forces, working alongside international partners, carried out coordinated operations that killed two senior members of Al-Shabaab’s propaganda unit and 14 other militants in Hirshabelle State.
In a statement, NISA said the operations were conducted in the Miirtaqwo and Tardo areas of the Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan regions, targeting facilities and groups linked to the militant organisation. The agency said the strikes also destroyed equipment and vehicles used by Al-Shabaab.
The first operation was carried out in Miirtaqwo, where NISA said its forces destroyed a facility Al-Shabaab referred to as the "Security House".
According to the agency, the site was being used to store equipment belonging to Al-Andalus radio, the group's media platform used to disseminate its messages.
NISA said the operation killed Abdisamad Mohamed, identified as the head of Al-Andalus' propaganda department, and Ali Salad, another member of the group's media wing. The agency added that another militant was seriously injured.
“The equipment they used for misleading the public was destroyed,” NISA said in its statement.
The intelligence agency said the second operation targeted Tardo in the Hiiraan region, where Al-Shabaab militants were allegedly being prepared for deployment to the Goobo and Waabweyn areas to coordinate activities aimed at disrupting security.
NISA said 14 militants were killed in the operation and a Toyota Noah vehicle used by the group was destroyed.
The agency said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to weaken Al-Shabaab's ability to organise attacks by targeting its leadership, facilities and equipment.
“These operations are part of ongoing efforts to reduce the strength and organisation of Khawaarij,” NISA said, using the term Somali authorities commonly use to refer to Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab has waged an armed insurgency in Somalia for more than a decade, carrying out attacks on government institutions, security forces and civilians. The group also operates media platforms, including Al-Andalus radio, which it uses to publish statements, claim responsibility for attacks and promote its activities.
Somali security forces, backed by international partners, have intensified operations against Al-Shabaab in recent years as the government seeks to reclaim territory held by the group.
The latest operations come as Somali authorities continue military offensives in central regions, where Al-Shabaab has retained bases and continued launching attacks despite losing control of several towns and rural areas.
The government has said dismantling the group's communication networks is a key part of reducing its influence, as Al-Shabaab relies on propaganda to recruit fighters, spread information and coordinate its activities.
NISA did not disclose the identities of the international partners involved or specify when the operations took place. It also did not provide further details about the other militants killed.
The intelligence agency said operations against Al-Shabaab would continue as part of efforts to dismantle the group's operational capabilities and prevent attacks across Somalia.
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