Somalia Says Air strike killed 25 Al-Shabaab Fighters in Hiran
Somali government forces, supported by international partners, conducted an airstrike in the Hiran region that killed 25 Al-Shabaab militants. The operation also resulted in the surrender of four suspected members and the recovery of abandoned weapons.
Somalia, July 18, 2026 – Somalia's Defence Ministry said on Saturday that an overnight air strike carried out by the Somali National Army and international partners killed 25 Al-Shabaab fighters in the Hiran region of central Somalia. The ministry said the strike targeted Al-Shabaab positions in Suullaay, about 17 km (11 miles) south of Teedaan, where the militant group had established a base. According to the ministry, 18 other Al-Shabaab fighters were wounded in the operation, while four suspected members of the group surrendered to government forces following the strike. The ministry identified the four as Adan Mohamed Jim’ale, also known as Abas; Ibrahim Adan Dahir; Adan Abshir Abdi; and Nurow Awid Ali, also known as Amir. It said other fighters fled the area, abandoning weapons after the attack.
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