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Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) says its forces have killed at least 12 al-Shabaab militants during a planned security operation in the Jambaluul area, located within Afgooye district in the Lower Shabelle region. According to a statement released on Wednesday, the agency said one of those killed was a senior figure within the group, making the operation a significant step in its ongoing campaign against the militants.
NISA explained that the raid focused on hideouts where al-Shabaab members had been preparing explosives and coordinating attacks targeting security forces and civilians. The agency said its intelligence teams had been monitoring the network for some time before launching the strike. When NISA forces moved in, the militants reportedly resisted, resulting in a direct exchange of fire.
During the confrontation, al-Shabaab fighters fired mortars toward nearby residential areas. This caused injuries to civilians and left two NISA personnel wounded. The agency did not provide the exact number of civilians affected, but described the injuries as a tragic consequence of the group’s reckless actions.
In its statement, NISA said the Somali government “deeply regrets” the harm inflicted on civilians and blamed al-Shabaab for deliberately targeting populated areas during the clash. The agency emphasized that attacks on civilians are a long-standing tactic used by the group to cause fear and disrupt daily life, especially in regions where government forces have increased pressure on their operations.
Lower Shabelle has recently been one of the most active fronts in Somalia’s wider counter-terrorism efforts. Security forces, supported by local communities, have been conducting coordinated operations aimed at dismantling al-Shabaab’s bases, cutting off supply routes, and weakening its ability to carry out attacks. Jambaluul and surrounding areas have, in the past, served as strategic points for the militants due to their proximity to Mogadishu and their access to farming villages that al-Shabaab has tried to control for taxation and recruitment.
NISA said the latest operation is part of a broader effort to prevent the group from regrouping or expanding its influence. The agency added that similar missions will continue in the coming weeks as security forces track down remaining cells. According to officials, reducing the group’s capacity to make and transport explosives remains a top priority because improvised explosive devices (IEDs) remain one of the biggest threats to civilians, security personnel, and public infrastructure.
The intelligence agency also called on residents in the region to cooperate with security forces by sharing information that could help prevent future attacks. NISA said that community reporting has already played an important role in exposing several militant hideouts and warned that al-Shabaab often uses fear tactics to silence local witnesses.
Although the operation resulted in casualties among both civilians and soldiers, NISA described the mission as successful in reducing the group’s operational strength in that area. The agency reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the country from extremist threats and said the army, police, and intelligence units will continue working together to restore stability in all regions affected by militant activity.
As Somalia pushes ahead with improvements in governance, state-building, and regional security cooperation, officials say eliminating al-Shabaab’s remaining strongholds is essential. The government believes that every successful operation helps create more space for communities to rebuild, for services to return, and for the long-term goal of peace and development to take root.