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Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), working closely with international allies, has carried out a successful military operation in the Middle Shabelle region, killing 23 al-Shabaab militants. The joint mission took place on Sunday in the village of El-Weyne, located under the El-Baraf area of Mahaday district. Officials said the attack targeted a site where the militants had gathered to plan new operations, leading to the deaths of several senior leaders and fighters.
According to security sources, the operation was based on credible intelligence that al-Shabaab members were regrouping in El-Weyne to establish a new base. The group was reportedly preparing attacks intended to disrupt peace and stability in the region. Acting on this information, NISA and its international partners launched a coordinated strike that destroyed the militants’ hideout and neutralized those present.
Officials noted that the mission was executed with precision to avoid civilian harm. Preliminary reports confirmed that no civilians were injured or killed during the operation — an outcome that highlights the intelligence agency’s commitment to conducting responsible and targeted counterterrorism measures. The agency emphasized that protecting innocent lives remains a top priority during its missions, even while combating a dangerous and unpredictable enemy.
The recent operation follows a similar one conducted in the same village on October 30, 2025, which also inflicted heavy losses on al-Shabaab. Authorities say that the repeat action in El-Weyne was necessary because the group was attempting to rebuild its presence there after being weakened in previous strikes. Security experts believe that this persistence shows how al-Shabaab continues to use rural areas as bases to regroup, recruit, and plan attacks despite repeated setbacks from government and allied forces.
NISA officials praised the cooperation of local communities and intelligence-sharing from international partners, which played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the operation. They said continued collaboration will remain vital in the fight against terrorism, as al-Shabaab remains one of the main threats to Somalia’s national security. The group has been responsible for numerous bombings, assassinations, and ambushes targeting civilians, government officials, and foreign partners over the years.
Security authorities reaffirmed that they will keep up the momentum against the militant group until it is completely defeated. They stressed that operations like the one in El-Weyne send a strong message that al-Shabaab will not be allowed to regain ground or threaten the country’s progress toward peace. Officials added that NISA, alongside Somali security forces and international allies, remains determined to track, target, and eliminate all militant strongholds across the country.
In recent months, Somalia has intensified its military campaigns against al-Shabaab, combining ground offensives with intelligence-led air and drone strikes. These efforts have significantly weakened the group’s operational capacity in several regions, although officials acknowledge that the fight is far from over. The government continues to call on local communities to support the ongoing security campaign by sharing information and rejecting extremist influence.
The success of the El-Weyne operation is being viewed as another step forward in Somalia’s broader mission to restore peace and strengthen national stability. With continued coordination between Somali forces and international partners, officials say they are confident that al-Shabaab’s influence and ability to strike will continue to diminish over time.