In the late afternoon on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at least 21 alleged Al-Shabaab militants, including a senior militant commander and other senior militants, were killed in the El Ba’ad area of the Middle Shabelle region, in an airstrike carried out by international forces in collaboration with the Somalia federal government. The strike was confirmed by the Federal Government of Somalia.

The Somalia National News Agency quoted the National Intelligence and Security Agency of Somalia (NISA), which stated that “in coordination with international partners” they had carried out an airstrike in the El Ba’ad region of Middle Shabelle, resulting in the death of over 20 Al-Shabaab militants, including senior militants, as well as allegedly a senior commander. The airstrike, which was according to Caasimada Online dubbed operation “Dhameystirka Eeyaha Naarta” (Finishing the Dogs of Hell), killed Yusuf Dhegnaas, reportedly “a key figure in Al-Shabaab‘s extortion network” who had been “intimidating local communities to collect illegal taxes.” The airstrike also reportedly destroyed several combat vehicles that were in use by militants. Mustaqbal media additionally noted that “three vehicles” used by militants had been destroyed in the strike, with Radio Dalsan reporting that “the operation….was executed with precision.”

Hiiraan News reported that the strike had taken place in the late afternoon and hit “a meeting of Al-Shabaab commanders, including Dhegnaas.” They also quoted Abubakar Mohammed, a spokesperson for the Somali Ministry of Defense, who stated that “we are pleased to announce that a key Al-Shabaab figure, Yusuf Dhegnaas, was killed in this operation, along with other senior members.” Caasimada Online additionally reported that Yusuf was second in command to the Al-Shabaab commander in the region, and was “killed while planning attacks from a base in Ruun-Nirgood.”

Garowe online stated that the US army had been “coordinating the airstrikes with the help of the Danab Special Forces, who are trained by Americans”, however Hiiraan News reported that US Africa Command (AFRICOM) had not yet released any statement confirming responsibility for the airstrike.

Caasimada Online interviewed local residents in the region, with an anonymous farmer saying “we’re tired of war…they take our crops, our sons – may this strike bring some calm.” They noted that officials did not address the casualty toll the strike had among civilians, if any, which was a recurring concern in areas where Al-Shabaab blends into communities, and that the “government framed Dhegnaas’ death as a triumph, yet the broader conflict continues to scar Somalia.”

Multiple local, national and social media sources quoted the official press releases while reporting on the strikes.