In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on March 15, 2026.The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of Mubaraak, approximately 60km west of Mogadishu.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to threaten U.S. forces and our citizens abroad.Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

MOGADISHU, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) backed by international partners killed 22 al-Shabab terrorists during two separate operations carried out in Hiran and Mudug regions. The NISA said the joint operation which was carried out on Friday evening targeted militants' leaders who were planning to carry out terrorist attacks in the region. "The NISA has intensified operations to hunt down terrorists to eliminate al-Shabab remnants from all their hideouts," the agency said in a statement issued on Friday evening in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The latest operation comes after the allied forces liberated Daarusalaam, Mubarak and Hawadley, three strategic towns following coordinated assault against al-Shabab terrorists in southern Somalia. The operations are being conducted under the newly launched Operation Rolling Thunder which aims to dismantle key al-Shabab strongholds, cut off routes used for terrorist activities, weaken al-Shabab's operational capacity, and protect civilians and key strategic sectors. ■

Operation Rolling Thunder, which is part of the broader Operation Badar, has led to the liberation of the areas of Mubaarak and Daarusalaam in the Lower Shabelle region. A ceremony was also held during which prayers were offered for the fallen soldiers, and the achievements made in the fight against terrorism were commemorated.

Somalia says 22 Al-Shabaab fighters killed in joint operations At least 22 militants from Al-Shabaab were killed in two operations in central Somalia carried out by the Somali army with support from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international partners, according to the National Intelligence and Security Agency. In Dumaye, Mudug region, forces targeted senior commanders, killing 15 fighters, NISA said. A second operation in the Hiran region struck two houses used by the group, killing 7 militants, including operatives reportedly responsible for financing attacks. The raids are part of Operation Rolling Thunder, a wider campaign aimed at dismantling Al-Shabaab strongholds and cutting its operational routes. The push follows the recent recapture of the towns of Daarusalaam, Mubarak, and Hawadley. Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in Somalia for more than 16 years.

Security Alert An aerial strike conducted by AFRICOM targeted senior Al-Shabaab operatives in Somalia Security sources have confirmed that a strike carried out in the Mubaarak area of Lower Shabelle region targeted Al-Shabaab security officials who were reportedly coordinating planned VBIED and explosive attacks intended for execution in Lower Shabelle and Banadir regions. According to available intelligence, among those targeted was the Head of Al-Shabaab’s Suicide Office, identified as Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Sulaiman Fiidow, along with several accompanying members. However, it remains unconfirmed whether he was killed in the strike. The United States stated that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and took place between 15–16 March. The Mubaarak area is among the locations recently recaptured by the Somali National Army (SNA). Al-Shabaab has notably not carried out its typical Ramadan attacks, which security analysts interpret as an indication of degraded operational capability, alongside sustained offensive operations by Somali government forces targeting the group in both Lower and Middle Shabelle regions. Stay turned on and please follow @wargelinn for more updates azelin @AaronZelin @AymennJawad @Minalami @ColeBunzel @ToreRHamming @Jihad_Analytics @MENASTREAM @Charles_Lister @HassanIShire @JacobZenn @BulamaBukarti @StigJar @CalibreObscura @ACLEDINFO @ZagazOlaMakama @wassim_nasr @RashidAbdi @Jasminechic00 @ICG_Horn @TheSoufanCenter @GNET_research @ISDglobal @ICSR_Centre @CTCWP @RUSI_org @ISSafrica @RukminiCallimachi @JenGriffinFNC @Elizrael @NewAmericaISP @MiddleEastInst @VOX_Pol @ASPI_org @LowyInstitute @EgmontInstitute @TRENDSResearch @Hedayah_CVE @ISEAS @RSIS_NTU @ACWResearch

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, two airstrikes were conducted: • March 15, 2026: al-Shabaab targeted near Mubarak, approx. 60 km west of Mogadishu • March 16, 2026: ISIS-Somalia targeted in the Golis Mountains, approx. 45 km southeast of Bossaso -AFRICOM

In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted two airstrikes: • March 15, 2026: al-Shabaab targeted near Mubaraak, approx. 60 km west of Mogadishu • March 16, 2026: ISIS-Somalia targeted in the Golis Mountains, approx. 45 km southeast of Bossaso -AFRICOM