Somali army, U.S. conduct airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab in Middle Shabelle region

 Somali army, U.S. conduct airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab in Middle Shabelle region

The Somali National Army (SNA), in coordination with the U.S. military's Africa Command (AFRICOM), conducted an airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab militants in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle State.

According to an SNA statement on Sunday, the strike hit the Laba Garas area and targeted an Al-Shabaab operative who was attempting to regroup following the group's recent battlefield losses against Somali and allied local forces.

The SNA emphasized its ongoing collaboration with AFRICOM to weaken the militant group and assess its growing casualties. However, the statement did not disclose the number of militants killed in the latest operation.

The strike follows another recent operation in which at least 50 Al-Shabaab fighters, including a senior commander, were killed in airstrikes in the Damasha and Shabeelow areas of Middle Shabelle. Among the casualties was the group's leader responsible for its combat vehicles.

The Somali government, with support from international partners, has intensified its military campaign against Al-Shabaab, targeting the group's strongholds in central and southern Somalia.