Somalia Forces Kill 27 Al-Shabaab Fighters in Jubbaland Operation

Somalia Ministry of Defence said its forces killed 27 Al-Shabaab fighters in a joint operation with regional and international support in Jubbaland, including air strikes. Weapons and explosives were also seized.

Somalia Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that Somali national forces, working alongside regional security units, carried out a coordinated military operation in Jubbaland that resulted in the killing of 27 militants from the group Al-Shabaab. The operation, according to the ministry, was conducted with international support, including air strikes, although it did not specify which foreign partners were involved.
The ministry said the offensive took place across several locations in Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba, areas that have long been strongholds and transit routes for Al-Shabaab fighters. It described the mission as a large-scale and coordinated effort aimed at disrupting the group’s operational capabilities and reducing its presence in southern Somalia.
Officials added that the operation led not only to the elimination of several fighters but also to the seizure of weapons and landmines, which are commonly used by the group in attacks against both military personnel and civilians. The ministry further stated that some of those killed were key members of the militant network, suggesting that the strike may have disrupted elements of its local command structure.
Al-Shabaab has waged a prolonged insurgency against the Somali government for years, frequently carrying out bombings, ambushes, and targeted attacks in both rural and urban areas. The group remains one of the most significant security threats in the country, despite sustained military pressure from Somali forces and their allies.
In addition to national efforts, the African Union Mission in Somalia continues to support Somalia’s counterterrorism operations. The mission works alongside Somali security forces to help stabilize liberated areas, protect civilians, and prevent the group from regaining territorial control, as part of broader regional and international efforts to restore security and governance in Somalia.