Airstrikes Kill Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders in Southern Somalia

 

Mogadishu, Somalia – September 21, 2025

A series of coordinated airstrikes targeting Al-Shabaab strongholds in southern Somalia have killed several senior commanders and wounded others, intelligence sources confirmed on Sunday.

Multiple Strikes Across Three Regions

The operations, reportedly four in total, struck key Al-Shabaab positions in Middle Juba, Lower Shabelle, and Bay regions. Specific areas targeted included Bu’aale, Kunya-Barrow, Sablaale, and Buulo-Fulaay.

According to security officials, the strikes were part of a larger counter-terrorism campaign aimed at weakening the militant group’s leadership and disrupting its operational capacity.

Foreign Trainers Eliminated in Bu’aale

One of the most significant strikes occurred in Sariiraha village near Bu’aale, Middle Juba. Intelligence reports indicate that foreign trainers working with Al-Shabaab were among the casualties.

Those killed included:

Abu Fahad al-Sudani (Sudan)

Abu Saleban (Pakistan)

Abu Jaafar (Morocco)

Abu Malik (nationality unconfirmed)

“These individuals were critical in building Al-Shabaab’s training and foreign operations networks,” one intelligence officer said on condition of anonymity.

Iranian-Linked Equipment Destroyed in Kunya-Barrow

In Kunya-Barrow, Middle Juba, airstrikes destroyed newly delivered equipment allegedly supplied to Al-Shabaab by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. While the exact nature of the equipment was not disclosed, the strike highlights growing regional cooperation between extremist groups.

Leadership Meeting Hit in Sablaale

Another strike in Sablaale, Lower Shabelle, targeted a house where senior Somali Al-Shabaab commanders were holding a meeting. Reports suggest the gathering was focused on planning new attacks against Somali government forces and international partners.

Strike in Buulo-Fulaay, Bay Region

The fourth strike occurred in Buulo-Fulaay, Bay region, where intelligence sources believe additional Al-Shabaab leaders were present. Though details on casualties remain unclear, officials confirmed that the strike disrupted a key leadership hub.

No Official Statement Yet

Neither the Somali Federal Government nor its international allies have issued an official statement regarding the operations. However, the strikes are widely seen as part of ongoing joint counter-terrorism efforts, supported by African Union peacekeepers under the AUSSOM mission and UN-backed security initiatives.

Escalation in the Fight Against Al-Shabaab

The airstrikes underscore a renewed push to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s leadership and operational infrastructure across southern Somalia. Observers believe the operations mark a major escalation in efforts to neutralize the group’s influence in the Horn of Africa.