Somalia’s National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA), with the support of international partners, killed 40 al-Shabab militants and wounded 29 others in a military operation in Middle Shabelle and Galgadud regions, the agency announced on Saturday.
Moalim Aarow, a senior figure in the group and the mastermind behind several attacks in the regions, was among the militants killed during the operations, according to the statement.
“The 24-hour offensive targeted al-Shabab bases in the Yaaqle area of Middle Shabelle and rural regions of Galgadud, effectively disrupting the group’s movements and destroying military supplies,” the statement reads.
NISA stated that the militants’ ability to maneuver in these areas has been severely impacted.
The latest operation comes just hours after the Ministry of Information reported that Somali military forces had killed 30 al-Shabab militants and wounded dozens more in Qeycad, in the southern Mudug region, following intelligence reports on al-Shabab activities in the area.
Somali authorities say the operations were conducted after the army received intelligence regarding al-Shabab militants’ maneuvers in the region.
