Mogadishu, Somalia – Twelve members of the extremist group Al-Shabaab, including senior leaders, were killed on Saturday in a planned security operation led by the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) near El-Lahelay in Galmudug State.
The mission, carried out with the support of Somalia’s international security partners, specifically targeted militants operating in the remote area. Authorities confirmed that several senior commanders of the group were among those eliminated, marking a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s operational network in central Somalia.
The operation was part of a broader campaign to weaken Al-Shabaab’s presence across the Galmudug region, where the group has sought to regroup following intensified counter-terrorism offensives by Somali forces in recent months. Security sources indicated that the militants were preparing to launch attacks against civilians and security installations. Weapons and communication equipment were seized during the raid.
Residents in El-Lahelay reported heavy gunfire and explosions during the early hours of the operation. Authorities later confirmed that no civilian casualties occurred.
This latest action highlights the government’s determination to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s leadership structure and limit its capacity to destabilize key regions. Security analysts note that the elimination of senior operatives could disrupt the group’s chain of command and weaken its ability to coordinate attacks.
The Federal Government of Somalia continues to emphasize its resolve to intensify military and intelligence-driven operations in cooperation with Galmudug authorities and international allies.