Somali government forces killed 27 al-Shabab militants during a large-scale military operation in the autonomous state of Jubbaland, the Ministry of Defence announced Tuesday.
The operation, conducted alongside Jubbaland security forces, targeted the districts of Jilib, Xagar, and Afmadow across the Lower and Middle Jubba regions.
According to a ministry statement, the offensive relied on air strikes provided by unnamed international partners. While the government did not specify which nation provided the aerial support, the United States has a history of assisting Somali forces in strikes against the group.
Weapons and casualties
The military reported that the operation dealt a "major blow" to the al-Qaeda-linked group, claiming that "key members" of the organization were among those killed.
Soldiers seized a cache of weaponry during the sweep, including BKM machine guns, RPGs, and AK-47 rifles. The ministry also recovered landmines that officials said the terrorists intended to use against civilian populations.
Defence officials stated that operations are ongoing to pursue remaining al-Shabab elements to ensure the safety of Somali civilians.
Al-Shabab has fought the Somali federal government since 2007, seeking to topple the central administration and impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law. The group maintains control over significant portions of southern and central Somalia.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) classifies al-Shabab as the world's largest, wealthiest, and most lethal al-Qaeda-affiliated organization. The group's influence extends beyond Somalia, having claimed responsibility for various attacks in Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti.
Conflict in the region continues to drive massive displacement. Between January and July 2025, fighting between government forces and al-Shabab in the Middle Shabelle region displaced nearly 60,000 people.
