Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said Sunday that its forces, working with international partners, killed two senior Al-Shabaab propaganda officials and 14 other militants in coordinated raids across Hirshabelle State, dealing a fresh blow to the group’s media and combat operations.
The operations, carried out in the Miirtaqwo area of Middle Shabelle and the Tardo area of Hiiraan, form part of an intensifying campaign by Somali security forces and their allies to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s leadership, propaganda infrastructure and fighting capacity. The strikes come as the government pushes ongoing offensives in central Somalia, where the al-Qaeda-linked group has clung to territory despite losing several towns in recent years.
In Miirtaqwo, NISA said its forces destroyed a facility the militants called the “Security House,” which was reportedly being used to store equipment for Al-Andalus radio, Al-Shabaab’s main propaganda outlet. The agency identified those killed as Abdisamad Mohamed, described as head of Al-Andalus’ propaganda department, and Ali Salad, another member of the group’s media wing. A third militant was seriously wounded, NISA said.
“The equipment they used for misleading the public was destroyed,” the agency said in its statement.
A second operation targeted Tardo in Hiiraan region, where NISA said Al-Shabaab fighters were being prepared for deployment to the Goobo and Waabweyn areas to coordinate activities meant to disrupt security. Fourteen militants were killed and a Toyota Noah vehicle used by the group was destroyed, according to the agency.
[Direct Quote — NISA spokesperson]: “These operations are part of ongoing efforts to reduce the strength and organisation of Khawaarij,” NISA said, using the term Somali authorities commonly apply to Al-Shabaab.
[Indirect Quote — Security analyst/Somali official, to be sourced]: A regional security official was said to have described the strikes on Al-Andalus as a significant setback for the group’s ability to recruit and spread its messaging among local communities.
NISA did not disclose the identities of the international partners involved, nor did it specify exactly when the operations took place. Details on the other militants killed were also not released.
Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia for more than a decade, targeting government institutions, security forces and civilians, while relying on Al-Andalus radio to claim attacks and spread its messaging. Somali authorities have repeatedly said that dismantling the group’s communication networks is central to weakening its influence.
NISA said further operations against Al-Shabaab would continue as part of broader efforts to degrade the group’s capabilities nationwide.
