By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter
Somalia, 14 April 2026 Somalia said its forces killed at least 27 Al-Shabaab fighters in a joint military operation in the southern Jubba regions, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.
The Somali National Army, working with Jubbaland security forces and international partners, carried out coordinated ground assaults and airstrikes targeting militant positions in Lower and Middle Jubba regions.
According to the defence ministry, the operations targeted areas around the districts of Jilib, Hagar, and Afmadow.
The ministry said several militant bases were seized in locations including Waraha Qalley, Farshabel, Jiges, Qawiley, and Welmarow.
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“The operation inflicted heavy losses on al-Shabaab, killing 27 militants, including key members of the group,” the ministry said in a statement.
It also said government forces recovered weapons and military equipment, including BKM machine guns, RPG launchers, AK-47 rifles, and explosives allegedly intended for use against civilians.
The ministry did not name the international partners involved, although U.S. forces and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have previously conducted air and logistical support operations in southern Somalia.
Al-Shabaab, which has been fighting the Somali government for more than a decade, frequently carries out attacks targeting security forces and civilians.