Somali Government Claims 70 Al-Shabab Members Killed in Military Operation

The Somali government announced that over 70 members of the Islamist group Al-Shabab were killed during a military operation conducted in collaboration with local forces, Arab News reported. The operation, which took place on February 25, targeted multiple sites in Hirshabelle state, south-central Somalia.

The Ministry of Information reported significant militant losses, stating, “Over 70 extremist militants were eliminated through the coordinated efforts of the National Army and local forces.” In addition to the fatalities, a large cache of weapons was seized, and several combat vehicles used by Al-Shabab were destroyed.

Witnesses confirmed the fighting, with one resident noting that “dozens” of bodies were visible in the combat zones. This operation follows recent Al-Shabab attacks in the region. Despite being driven out of Mogadishu by African Union forces in 2011, Al-Shabab remains active in rural areas. Somalia’s president has vowed to wage “total” war against the group, supported by AU forces and US airstrikes.