Somali army kills 16 al-Shabab militants in Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan regions

Monday July 27, 2026 Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) in collaboration with international partners killed 16 al-Shabab militants, including two senior members of the group’s media wing. In a statement on Sunday, NISA said the operations took place in Miirtaqwo in Middle Shabelle region and Tardo in Hiiraan region, targeting facilities and fighters affiliated with al-Shabab. NISA said the operation in Miirtaqwo destroyed a facility the group referred to as a “Security House,” which the agency said was being used as a storage site for Al-Andalus radio, al-Shabab’s propaganda outlet. The agency added that Abdi Samad Mohamed, whom it described as the head of Al-Andalus’s propaganda department, and Ali Salad, a member of the same media wing, were killed in the operation. Another member of the group was seriously wounded, NISA said. “The equipment they were using to mislead the public was destroyed,” the agency said. NISA said a separate operation in Tardo targeted militants who were preparing to move toward the Goobo and Waabweyn areas to carry out attacks. The agency said 14 al-Shabab militants were killed in that operation and that a Toyota Noah vehicle used by the group was destroyed. NISA underscored the operations were part of ongoing efforts to weaken al-Shabab by targeting its leadership, facilities and operational equipment. The agency did not identify the international partners involved in the operations or specify the exact timing of the strikes. “The operations against al-Shabab would continue to degrade the group’s capabilities and prevent future attacks,” it added.