Joint Somali forces kill 12 Al-Shabaab militants in coordinated security operations west of Kismayo.

Elite Somali National Army Danab Commandos, operating alongside Jubbaland Darwish forces,particularly the Birjeex Brigade,have carried out a series of coordinated military operations that dealt a significant setback to Al-Shabaab militants in parts of the Lower Jubba region.

The joint forces conducted well-planned operations in several locations west of the Bula Haji area, targeting militant hideouts in villages including Wadajir Zone, Haliimo Cadey, Boqoqaha, Karas Kukiye, and Hajini. All of these areas fall under the administrative jurisdiction of Kismayo, the regional capital of Lower Jubba.

In an official statement, the Jubbaland administration confirmed that at least 12 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed during the operations. According to the statement, the militants had been hiding in underground bunkers and trenches, which were successfully raided by the advancing forces.

“During the course of the operation, the forces eliminated more than 12 militants who were hiding in underground shelters, all of whom were neutralized,” the Jubbaland statement said.

The statement further noted that the joint forces also discovered and dismantled several landmines planted by Al-Shabaab along key roads connecting the targeted areas. These explosive devices were reportedly intended to disrupt military movement and threaten civilian traffic.

The operations come amid an intensified security campaign by the Somali National Army against Al-Shabaab strongholds in the Jubba regions and the two Shabelle regions. In recent months, government forces, supported by regional administrations, have increased pressure on the militant group through sustained ground operations aimed at degrading its operational capacity.

Officials say the latest raids are part of broader efforts to restore stability, secure major supply routes, and eliminate remaining Al-Shabaab cells operating near populated areas. Jubbaland authorities praised the coordination between Danab Commandos and regional forces, describing it as a key factor in the success of the operation.

The Somali government continues to reiterate its commitment to defeating Al-Shabaab and ensuring long-term security across the country, as military operations expand in both southern and central regions.