(02 Mar 2025) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — Somali forces, supported by the US military, have carried out an airstrike against Al-Shabab militants in central Somalia, officials say.
The strike targeted a location in the village of Ceel Baraf, Middle Shabelle region, on Sunday.
The Somali Ministry of Defence said the operation, carried out in coordination with US Africa Command (AFRICOM), destroyed vehicles laden with explosives and killed several Al-Shabab fighters. The ministry stressed that no civilian casualties were reported.
“This operation disrupts Al-Shabaab’s ability to terrorize our people,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it would “sustain military pressure until Somalia is free from extremism.”
The strike targeted what was described as a key logistical hub for the Al-Qaeda-linked group in the agriculturally important Middle Shabelle region.
US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has not yet commented on the operation. The US military frequently provides air support to Somali forces in their fight against Al-Shabab.
Al-Shabab, which is fighting to overthrow the internationally-backed government, controls territory in parts of Somalia and carries out frequent attacks. Somali forces, supported by African Union (AU) peacekeepers and US airstrikes, have retaken some areas in recent years, but the militants retain a significant presence, particularly in rural areas.
Ceel Baraf lies 160 km north of Mogadishu. Its proximity to the capital highlights the ongoing security challenges as Somali troops prepare to take over full operational control from AU-led forces by late 2025.
The Somali government has called for international support to address the root causes of the insurgency, including poverty and clan rivalries, and has urged religious leaders to counter extremist propaganda.
Halqabsi News
