MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) reported Wednesday that a series of coordinated operations with international partners killed at least 33 Al-Shabaab fighters in the country’s central Middle Shabelle region .
The “planned operations” targeted the village of Guulane, where militants had reportedly gathered to coordinate a new wave of attacks . According to a NISA statement, an initial precision strike hit a residence housing senior commanders and foot soldiers, with the agency reporting 15 militants were killed in the blast, which destroyed a site used for “mobilizing fighters and planning acts of terror” .
“Follow-up operations then targeted additional militants attempting to take cover in the surrounding area, resulting in the deaths of more than 18 further fighters,” the statement added .
Militant Infrastructure Destroyed
Security forces also reported destroying a pickup truck mounted with a machine gun commonly used by the Al-Qaeda-linked insurgents, which was being used to transport personnel and supplies . Intelligence officials claimed they had received credible information that nearly 90 fighters had assembled in Guulane before the intervention .
The operation in Guulane follows similar successful strikes against Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure in the region. In February 2026, NISA announced the successful conclusion of a planned security operation in the Maxaa Saciid area of the Middle Shabelle region, which targeted a safe house where senior leaders of Al-Shabaab were reportedly convening. That raid resulted in the deaths of 13 militants, including five high-ranking commanders identified as Macallin Caseyr, Macallin Muxumed Ahmed Hassan, Sheikh Ali Guuraale, Abdirahman Sheikh Ali (also known as Abdirahman Dhegey), and Macallin Caadey .
Previous Airstrikes in Middle Shabelle
The Somali National Army, in cooperation with international partners, has maintained sustained pressure on Al-Shabaab in Middle Shabelle. In February 2026, an airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab militants who were reportedly planting landmines on the road connecting Masaajid Ali Gaduud and Daaru Salaam in Middle Shabelle. The strike was launched to intercept militants planning to harm civilians traveling on the inter-regional roads, resulting in the deaths of 15 militants and the destruction of a vehicle being used to transport explosives .
In separate operations, the SNA reported significant victories against Al-Shabaab following two security operations in the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, with a combined total of 19 militants neutralized. These operations targeted combatants attempting to ambush civilian transport and plant explosive devices along major supply routes .
Al-Shabaab Attack Repelled in Jabad Godabe
In January 2026, Somali government forces successfully countered a dawn assault by Al-Shabaab militants on a military base in Middle Shabelle. Government forces effectively repulsed the offensive, securing the location after intense combat. Following the engagement, military personnel initiated a comprehensive security operation and clearance activities in the vicinity to eliminate remaining fighters and prevent potential regrouping .
Government forces successfully repelled a dawn assault by Al-Shabaab militants on a military position in the Jabad Godabe area. While the Ministry of Defense did not release official casualty figures, independent reports indicated that the militant group suffered substantial losses. Security personnel conducted clearance operations in and around Jabad Godabe to track down retreating fighters and prevent any further regrouping attempts .
Gorgor Commandos Clear Militant Hideouts
The Somali National Army has intensified its security operations in Jowhar, with units from the 18th Brigade of the elite Gorgor Commandos, led by Colonel Aden Mohamed Farah, carrying out coordinated and planned operations across key areas of the town. During the operation, troops conducted thorough searches of strategic locations, including major neighborhoods, public areas, and key access routes into and out of Jowhar, aimed at disrupting potential threats and reinforcing the security presence across the city .
The 171st Unit of the 17th Brigade, operating under the elite 1st Gorgor Commando Division, recently conducted highly coordinated clearance operations in Masaale, located in southern Middle Shabelle. These targeted ground operations aim to systematically dismantle militant groups that actively use the region’s dense terrain as a staging ground for their activities .
Public Appeal and International Partnerships
NISA accompanied its report with a fresh appeal to the public, urging citizens to use designated hotlines to report movements of both Al-Shabaab and the smaller Islamic State (ISIS) presence in the country .
The Somali government, which has been engaged in a “total war” against the Islamist group since 2022, frequently conducts such operations alongside foreign allies — typically involving US drone strikes or Turkish air support — to blunt Al-Shabaab’s ability to strike the capital, Mogadishu .
Ongoing Counter-Terrorism Campaign
Al-Shabaab has been fighting for more than 17 years to topple the fragile central government, and while they have been pushed out of many major cities, they maintain a lethal presence in rural pockets of central and southern Somalia .
The operation in Guulane represents the continuation of the government’s multi-front strategy to dislodge Al-Shabaab from its remaining rural strongholds while defending liberated territories from counter-attacks . The Ministry of Defense has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing planned operations to eradicate remnants of the group and ensure the safety of the Somali people .
