Somali Intelligence Agency Kills 19 Al-shabab Militants Killed In Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan Regions

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency said Monday that 19 al-Shabab members, including a senior figure, were killed in two operations in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan regions.

In a statement, NISA said the operations were carried out in coordination with international partners.

The first operation took place in the Geel-gub area near Ali Gaduud Mosque in Middle Shabelle, where the agency said al-Shabab fighters were gathering to prepare attacks.

NISA said successive strikes targeted the group’s positions, killing 12 militants and destroying shelters and sites used to organize and plan attacks.

In a separate operation in the Buq-aqable area of Hiiraan region, NISA said it destroyed a facility used by al-Shabab to store weapons collected from Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan and Galgaduud regions.

The agency said seven al-Shabab members were killed in the Buq-aqable operation, including a figure it identified as Faruq, who it said was responsible for the group’s weapons cache.

"Weapons and equipment were destroyed at the facility, including two technical vehicles, two tankers and two motorcycles," the statement added.

The agency said the operations are part of ongoing efforts to target al-Shabab’s leadership, facilities and supply networks.

Ali Hassan, an investigative and a freelance journalist writes from Stadthagen, Germany, [email protected]