8 al-Shabaab terrorists killed in military operation in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said on Friday that it carried out a targeted operation against the al-Shabaab terrorist group, killing eight terrorists.

NISA said in a statement that, in collaboration with international security partners, it targeted the Arabow area in the Middle Juba region’s Bu’aale town.

“During the mission, they dismantled major facilities used by the Khawarij group to orchestrate terrorist activities,” the statement said.

The destroyed sites include the group’s so-called political and administrative headquarters, an explosives manufacturing site, and the group’s propaganda media center.

The group’s training camp and a residence occupied by the terror group's trainers were also hit during the operation, according to the statement.

The al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group has been engaged in an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials, and civilians.

Since July last year, the Somali army, with the support of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international partners, has stepped up operations against al-Shabaab.

The AU mission's mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until Dec. 31.