(08 Feb 2025) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News)— At least 30 Al-Shabab militants have been killed in recent airstrikes and fighting in Somalia’s central Hiiraan region, according to officials.
International partners carried out the strikes overnight, targeting areas between Jicibow and Beerayabaal, where Somali forces have been engaged in an ongoing offensive against the Islamist group.
Military sources said senior Al-Shabab members were among the dead, with several others injured. The exact number of casualties could not immediately be verified.
The strikes followed heavy clashes earlier in the day between Somali troops and militants.
Hiiraan governor Muuse Salaad Wehliye said more than 30 militants were killed in yesterday’s battles, and three fighters were captured alive. Images of the blindfolded captives were circulated.
Tension remains high in the region, particularly around settlements along the Shabelle River, where both sides continue to engage in confrontations.
The recent fighting is part of a resurgence of local uprisings against Al-Shabab, with residents actively supporting government-led efforts to drive the group out of the area. The operations are a key part of a broader campaign by the Somali government and its allies to defeat the militants.
Halqabsi News
