Somalia claims airstrikes killed over 40 Al-Shabab militants

Somalia's government announced that its army, with support from "international partners," carried out airstrikes in the central Hiran region, resulting in the deaths of at least 42 Al-Shabab militants. The operation targeted the village of Goobo, north of Mahaas district, where militants had reportedly gathered after being defeated in previous combat.

According to a statement from the Somali Ministry of Defense, the airstrikes neutralized 42 militants and injured 12 others. The ministry also reported the destruction of a military vehicle and defensive positions established by the group. The statement asserted that ongoing operations have delivered a "hard blow" to Al-Shabab, diminishing its capacity to organize and operate.

The government claims that Al-Shabab has suffered substantial losses in recent months at the hands of the Somali Armed Forces and their international allies, with hundreds of fighters and several leaders reportedly killed. However, EFE was unable to independently verify these casualty figures provided by the authorities.

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The ongoing operations have dealt a hard blow to Al-Shabab, diminishing the group's capacity to organize and act.

Somalia has intensified its counter-Al-Shabab operations since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "total war" against the group in August 2022. This campaign receives military backing from the African Union mission, as well as support from Turkey and the United States, which often provide aerial bombardment assistance.

Al-Shabab, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda since 2012, continues to control rural areas in southern and central Somalia and has also launched attacks in neighboring countries like Kenya and Ethiopia. The nation has been in a state of conflict and instability since 1991, following the overthrow of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, leading to a fractured government and the rise of various militias and warlords.

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In recent months, Al-Shabab has suffered great losses at the hands of the Armed Forces and their international partners.