Mogadishu, Somalia — At least four senior commanders of the al-Shabaab terrorist group were killed during recent security operations in Somalia’s central regions, the country’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said in an official statement.
According to the intelligence agency, elite forces targeted multiple militants in coordinated raids aimed at breaking up al Shabab’s command structure in Mudug and surrounding areas. The operations were part of a broader effort to disrupt militant cells accused of planning attacks on civilians, government targets and security personnel.
In a statement reported by several international outlets, NISA said its forces killed 22 al-Shabaab fighters, including “several senior figures”. Among those killed were four high-ranking commanders, whose deaths mark a significant blow to the extremist group’s leadership in central Somalia.
Officials said the operations were conducted in cooperation with international partners as part of a wider campaign to weaken al-Shabaab’s capabilities across the region. Security forces have intensified pressure on the group, which remains aligned with al Qaeda and has waged a long-running insurgency against the Somali government.
Al Shabab continues to carry out attacks in Somalia, but recent intelligence led raids, including precision strikes and coordinated ground operations, have targeted their leadership and infrastructure. Somali authorities have repeatedly said dismantling the militant network’s command hierarchy is key to reducing violence and restoring stability.
The developments come amid ongoing efforts by Somali security forces and African Union partners to reclaim territory and stem the insurgency that has destabilised large parts of the Horn of Africa nation for more than a decade.
Analysts say eliminating senior commanders could disrupt al Shabab’s operational planning, though the group has historically shown an ability to replace leaders and continue fighting. Continued pressure on its network remains a central focus of Somalia’s counterterror campaign.
