On March 12, 2025, alongside “international security partners”, the Somali National Army reportedly killed at least 50 Al-Shabaab militants, including senior leaders Mansoor Tima-Weeyne (responsible for Al-Shabaab’s combat vehicles), Farhan Osman Hassan (head of explosive operations) and Ahmed Omar Gumaar (head of Finance). Most media partners agreed that the operation led to the killing of more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants, however Somali Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, announced that more than 150 Al-Shabaab militants were killed during the airstrikes carried out in southern Somalia, as reported by the Shabelle Media Network News.

The airstrikes occurred after an 18-hour siege of the Qahira Hotel by Al-Shabaab in Beledweyne that left between 7 to 11 people dead, including prominent traditional elders.

Voice of America reported that Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, or NISA announced that “Coordinated airstrikes by the Somali army and international partners in the Middle Shabelle region have killed more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants, including senior leader in charge of the coordination of the group’s combat vehicles” as well as three combat vehicles equipped with heavy machine guns. The NISA specified that the strikes occurred in the Damasha and Shabeelow areas, killing “Mansoor Tima-Weeyne, a senior al-Shabab leader who masterminded the preparation and use of combat vehicles for terrorist attacks.”

Garowe Online added that according to reports, Mansoor Tima-Weeyne had recently arrived in the Buro Fulay area and was driving a vehicle used by Al-Shabaab for attacks. The military command claimed that the airstrike was planned to avoid any civilian harm, according to Garowe.

According to multiple other outlets including CGTN Africa and Hiiraan Online, the NISA also announced an “aerial operation” in Jambaluul.

By March 13th, the following day, the “Somali Defense Minister, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, announced that more than 150 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in airstrikes carried out in southern Somalia over the past 48 hours” as reported by Shabelle Media Network. The same statement urged civilians to stay away from Al-Shabaab controlled areas because “They are being targeted.”

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.