Sunday January 4, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali National Army Danab special forces killed 15 al-Shabab militants and captured eight others during a targeted military operation in Jilib district late Saturday, the Defense Ministry said.
The overnight raid focused on militant positions in the strategic town of Jilib, a long-standing stronghold of the al-Qaida-linked group in southern Somalia. Officials said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to disrupt al-Shabab’s leadership, logistics and ability to launch attacks.
“The mission demonstrated the growing operational capability of the Somali National Army, particularly the effective use of air mobility to expand operational reach and engage the enemy at any time and in any location,” the ministry said.
The Defense Ministry and the Somali National Army Command praised the Danab forces for what they described as professionalism and readiness, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to continuing military operations against the group.
Officials said operations would persist “until the terrorist threat is fully eradicated and lasting peace and stability are secured for the Somali people.”
Al-Shabab has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade, carrying out bombings, assassinations and complex attacks on military bases, government institutions and civilians. Despite sustained pressure from Somali forces backed by international partners, the group continues to hold influence in parts of southern and central Somalia.
Jilib, in particular, has remained a key operational and symbolic center for al-Shabab, making it a frequent target of Somali and allied military operations aimed at weakening the group’s command structure and territorial control.