Fourteen members of terrorist group, Al Shabaab have been killed in an operation by Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA).
The number includes four senior ring leaders namely Abdullahi Hasan Omar, Qudaame Dhere, Abdul Ladhiif and a leader whose name was abbreviated as Osaam.
According to NISA, the operation which targeted the Shaw area of the Hiran region, a special base for the group, forms part of ongoing plans by the Somali government to eradicate Al Shabaab, also called Khawarij.
“The forces specifically targeted a center where these leaders were located, completely eliminating all of these leaders and approximately 10 members of the terrorist militia,” the statement said.
The development comes barely a week after Niger’s army said it killed a senior leader of another terrorist group, Boko haram, in a targeted airstrike.
Several African countries dealing with violent extremism are increasing their counter attacks to safeguard their populations.
Al-Shabab, has waged an insurgency against Somalia for more than 16 years. Since the beginning of 2025, the group has launched a broad offensive in 2025, taking control of dozens of towns and villages in regions around Mogadishu.
Since July, Somalia, in collaboration with the African Union and other international partners has ramped up efforts to ward off activities of Al Shabaab in the region.
