Between 10 and 70 militants, including “key Al-Shabaab ring leaders and militias” were purportedly killed and 30 other al-Shabaab members were injured after airstrikes announced by the Somali government in conjunction with international partners were carried out near Ruun Nirgood, Middle Shabelle on 24 April, 2024.

The Somali Information Ministry, referenced by Anadolu Agency, reported 70 militants killed, with 30 others wounded. Kaab TV had more conservative estimates, alleging 10 Al-Shabaab militants had been killed. According to Danab Media, the 16th Battalion of the DANAB Commandos – a subset of the Somali National Army which has historically worked closely with the US military – was specifically involved.

According to Watson Wararka Soomaliya, a Somali news network, the first strike “targeted a house where Al-Shabaab officials were meeting”. A second strike targeted a checkpoint in Ruun Nirgood, where the group had allegedly been engaged in extortion: “collect[ing] money from vehicles”. A Messagaweyn TV Facebook post also mentioned that airstrikes had occurred in the forest lands on the border between Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions.

While no sources directly implicated the US in the operation, the Somali government’s reference to airstrikes and “international partners” has in the past indicated US involvement but could also refer to Turkish involvement or United Arab Emirates involvement.