Somali airstrike kills 15 al-Shabaab militants in Middle Shabelle

Somali airstrike kills 15 al-Shabaab militants in Middle Shabelle
Damaged rooftops of buildings, Somalia October 5, 2025
Reuters

The Somali Army carried out a targeted airstrike in southern Somalia, killing 15 al-Shabaab militants, the country’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said the strike was conducted in coordination with international partners and targeted fighters who were planting improvised explosive devices along a key road in the Middle Shabelle region.

The operation destroyed a vehicle and weapons that were allegedly being prepared for use in an attack on civilians, according to the statement.

Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, government officials and civilians.

Since July last year, the Somali army, supported by the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia and other international partners, has intensified operations against the group.

The mandate of the African Union mission was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorisation until 31 December.

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