At night on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, 12 alleged Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the vicinity of Adan Yabaal district, Middle Shabelle, Somalia, in an airstrike declared by US Africa Command (AFRICOM) forces in collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia. No civilians were officially reported as injured or killed in the strikes.

In a press release, US AFRICOM stated that they had conducted an airstrike “against Al-Shabaab”, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, with the strikes occurring “in the vicinity of Adan Yabaal, Somalia.” They claimed that according to their initial assessments “no civilians were harmed.”

The Somalia Ministry of Information released a statement corroborating the details published by AFRICOM, terming the strike a “well coordinated airstrike”, that was “jointly executed by the Somali National Armed Forces” and AFRICOM “last night.” The strikes hit a “site used by militants as a gathering and hideout”, with 12 “Khawaarij” (Al-Shabaab) militants killed according to preliminary reports, including “senior leaders.” The Ministry added that “importantly, there were no civilian casualties.” Radio Dalsan reported that the strikes killed twelve militants including “both foot soldiers and senior commanders.”

Reuters reported that the strike “came hours after” militants attacked the town of Adan Yabaal. According to AFP, the AFRICOM airstrike hit Adan Yabaal at night, 220 kilometers north of Mogadishu. AFP quoted a Somali military official that said the militant attack on the town happened at dawn, a takeover that was possible due to heavy rains which thwarted aerial surveillance according to Garrowe Online, with local sources confirming to AFP that the town had been taken over by militants. Following the airstrike, the BBC noted that the Somali government “did not say who was currently in control of the town.”

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