NISA kills 19 al-Shabaab fighters in Middle Shabelle region

Somali National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) killed at least 19 al-Shabaab members in a coordinated operation in the Yaaqle area of the Middle Shabelle region, the agency reported Friday. 

According to NISA's statement, the operation targeted a hidden location where al-Shabaab fighters had gathered, resulting in the death of senior members and the destruction of the site, which reportedly contained explosives and other weapons. 

"The site was discovered and destroyed with a significant amount of weaponry and explosives," the agency's statement read. This operation is part of NISA's ongoing campaign to root out al-Shabaab cells nationwide. 

The mission follows an earlier NISA operation this week in which 27 al-Shabaab operatives, including senior commanders, were killed during a 12-hour assault in the same region.