April 17, 2025 – Mogadishu, Somalia
Twelve militants from the Al-Shabaab Islamist group, including senior leaders, were killed in a joint airstrike conducted by Somali forces and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), the Somali government announced on Thursday.
The precision strike targeted a militant hideout in Adan Yabaal, a town located approximately 220 kilometers north of the capital, Mogadishu. According to Somalia’s Ministry of Information, the operation took place Wednesday night and was aimed at halting an ongoing assault by Al-Shabaab on the town — a strategic base for Somali military operations.
“The targeted strike hit a site used by the militants as a gathering and hideout,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter). “Preliminary reports indicate that 12 operatives, including senior leaders, were eliminated.”
Adan Yabaal was recaptured from Al-Shabaab in December 2022 during a major Somali government offensive backed by African Union peacekeeping forces. The town has since served as a key military hub.
This latest operation comes amid growing concerns over a potential resurgence of Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization, which has stepped up attacks in recent months — including one on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy.
The Somali government reiterated its commitment to neutralizing terrorist threats and ensuring lasting peace and stability across the country, in coordination with international partners.
