Somali intelligence says over 80 Al-Shabaab fighters killed in airstrikes

Somalia’s intelligence agency (NISA) says more than 80 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in six airstrikes targeting Sabiid and Caanoole, two strategic villages near Afgoye in the Middle Shabelle region.

The strikes followed an Al-Shabaab attack on the villages on Thursday, prompting government forces to respond, according to local media reports.

“These operations continued since last night, and they were aimed at disrupting and defeating the terrorists after NISA received intelligence information about the group’s attempt to destabilize the two villages,” the agency said in a statement.

Independent verification of the casualty figures remains unavailable.

The latest airstrikes come a day after the Somali government claimed that a separate operation by the Somali National Army (SNA) in Sumadaale, Middle Shabelle, had killed key Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters who had gathered for a meeting.

Fighting has intensified between government forces and Al-Shabaab, particularly in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, where the group has stepped up attacks since the start of Ramadan.

In an effort to boost troop morale and mobilize the fight against Al-Shabaab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been touring frontline towns.