The Somali National Army (SNA) and allied local forces carried out coordinated military operations in the past few hours in the forested area of El-Dhere, located on the border between the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions.
According to a statement released by the Federal Government, the operation included direct combat and targeted airstrikes against Al-Shabaab hideouts in the area.
The statement confirmed that numerous Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters were killed, and several militant shelters were destroyed during the operation.
“The airstrikes that killed many leaders and militia members were conducted in cooperation with the Somali National Army and international partners,” read the government statement.
While the statement did not specify the number of casualties inflicted on the militant group, it emphasized that the operation is part of the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s presence in the country.