Somali forces kill three key Al Shabab terrorists

The Somali National Armed Forces have conducted a series of operations across parts of the Bakool and Bay regions, killing several senior members of the Al Shabab terrorist group, the Defence Ministry announced in a statement on Sunday.

The ministry said that Somali forces killed Mohamed Abdi Mohamed Nur, also known as Goofoow, a senior terrorist group member who was responsible for several attacks on civilians in the region.

He was killed in a precision operation in Abal village, a strategic village located 21 kilometres south of Hudur, the provincial capital of the southwestern Bakool region, it added.

“During the operation, the forces also seized weapons and documents detailing plots intended to disrupt security and stability in the area,” the statement said.

Two other key Al Shabab members killed

In a separate military operation, two key Al Shabab operatives, Yahye, also known as Abu Khalid, a key organiser of terrorist attacks, and Sharif Amir, were killed, it also said.

According to the statement, Amir was injured and later died as a result of the severe injuries sustained during the engagement.

It said the Somali military will continue to conduct operations against the group and that "no safe haven will be allowed for Al Shabab terrorists or their remnants."

The ongoing operations to stabilise the Horn of Africa country will be intensified "until every corner of Somalia is freed from the threat of terrorism," the statement added.

Waged terrorism against the Somali government

The military operations come just days after Somalia announced that 220 precision airstrikes had been conducted against terrorists, with 868 of them killed since February this year.

Since late 2024, the Somali National Army and security forces in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland have increased air raids against terrorists in the south and central provinces, as well as the northeastern Bari region, with the support of international security partners.

A precision airstrike in Middle Juba's Bu'aale town killed a senior Al Shabab terrorist late last month, identified as Mohamud Abdi Hamud, also known as Jacfar Gurey, a founding member of the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group who served as the group's so-called "intelligence chief."

Al Shabab has waged terrorism against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials, and civilians.