Somalia Says 25 Al-Shabaab Militants Killed, Four Surrender

The Ministry of Defence announced the outcome in a press statement released on Saturday, describing the operation as part of the Federal Government of Somalia's ongoing military campaign against Al-Shabaab. According to the ministry, the strike targeted positions the group had established in Suullaay, an area where security forces have continued operations aimed at disrupting militant activity in central Somalia. The ministry identified the four individuals who surrendered to the Somali National Army as Aden Mohamed Jimale, known within the group as Abbas, Ibrahim Aden Dahir, Aden Abshir Abdi, and Nurow Aawid Ali, who reportedly used the alias Amir. Officials said the individuals surrendered after surviving the operation, adding that other fighters fled the area, abandoning weapons following what the ministry described as a significant defeat. "The operation forms part of the sustained offensive to weaken the operational capability of the Khawaarij group and pursue its remaining elements," the Ministry of Defence said in its statement, using the Somali government's designation for Al-Shabaab. The ministry also thanked Somalia's international partners for their continued cooperation in counterterrorism operations and reaffirmed that military operations would continue under directives from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to eliminate the armed group. A senior defence official, speaking to Lamaane News Network after the statement was issued, said security forces remain deployed in the wider area to assess the aftermath of the operation and prevent surviving militants from regrouping. The official declined to identify the international partners involved, referring questions to the relevant government authorities. Residents in parts of the broader Hiran region reported hearing aircraft during the night, although access to the strike location remained restricted because of ongoing military activity. Lamaane News Network could not independently verify the casualty figures or operational details released by the Ministry of Defence. Hiran has remained one of the principal theatres of Somalia's campaign against Al-Shabaab, with government forces conducting coordinated ground and air operations to disrupt militant networks, supply routes, and command structures. Air operations have increasingly complemented ground offensives as security forces seek to expand government control in rural areas. The latest operation underscores the Somali government's continued reliance on coordinated military pressure against Al-Shabaab as part of its broader security strategy. The outcome of the operation and the reported surrender of four alleged group members are likely to be closely monitored as authorities continue efforts to reduce the group's operational presence and improve security in central Somalia. Source: Lamaane News Network (https://lamaane.net) ══════════════ Publisher Bio: Lamaane News Network (https://lamaane.net) is a Mogadishu-based independent digital news organization covering developments in Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and international affairs, with reporting in both Somali and English. Founded on December 9, 2015, it is committed to producing factual, balanced, and timely journalism in accordance with professional editorial and ethical standards.