Somalia Says Four Al-Shabaab Members Killed in Middle Shabelle Operations

MOGADISHU, Somalia, 21 September 2026 Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), working with international partners, killed an Al-Shabaab commander and three other militants in operations in the Middle Shabelle region, the agency said in a statement on Sunday.

The operations targeted the areas of Guulane and Al-Furqaan after members of the al-Qaeda-linked group left a meeting in Guulane, according to NISA.

Among those killed was Omar Siyad Araaye, whom the agency identified as an Al-Shabaab commander responsible for the group’s dealings with one of the clans in Middle Shabelle. Two motorcycle riders transporting commanders and another militant serving as a guard were also killed, it said.

NISA said Abdi Mohamed Nur, another Al-Shabaab official responsible for clan affairs, was wounded.

Two other commanders, Abdullahi Ali Araaye and Abdi Daalane, narrowly escaped the operations, the agency added.

The agency said the operations were part of its campaign to disrupt Al-Shabaab’s leadership and operational networks.