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Monday, Jan 19, 2026

Somali National Army Kills 50 Al-Shabaab Militants in Airstrike

Somali National Army Kills 50 Al-Shabaab Militants in Airstrike

Major operation in Middle Shabelle region results in the death of a prominent Al-Shabaab leader.
The Somali National Army (SNA) announced that it has killed 50 militants from the Al-Shabaab group, including a prominent leader, in an airstrike on the town of Damashe Shabelo in the Middle Shabelle region of Hirshabelle state.

The operation took place on Monday and was reportedly carried out in collaboration with Somalia's international partners.

According to a statement released by the SNA and broadcast via state television, the airstrike was a carefully planned operation targeting the militants in southern Somalia.

The report indicated that the strike led to the death of 50 Al-Shabaab members, among whom was Mansour Tamweeni, a key figure responsible for logistical operations within the group.

The airstrike also resulted in the destruction of military equipment utilized by the militants, as detailed in the government's statement.

The statement further noted that the killed leader had recently entered the Middle Shabelle region from the town of Bulo Burti, accompanied by vehicles used by the group for conducting suicide bombings.

This military action follows a day of attacks launched by Al-Shabaab members against a residential complex in the town of Beledweyne, located in the Hiran region, where clan elders and military officers were holding security consultations.

These attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 10 individuals, including two clan elders and several government soldiers.

The Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions have witnessed fierce battles between the SNA, supported by local residents, and Al-Shabaab fighters, who have mounted a widespread offensive to regain territories lost during recent military campaigns led by the Somali army.
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