ISTANBUL

Somali intelligence forces have killed 12 al-Shabaab terrorists and injured three others in southern Somalia during a targeted operation, the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said on Tuesday.

An operation on Monday in the Qaahira area of the Middle Shabelle region led to the destruction of several al-Shabaab weapon caches and safehouses, NISA said on US social media company X.

It added that another operation in the Maxaa Saciid area of the same region earlier in the week resulted in the elimination of five al-Shabaab leaders and serious injuries to three others.

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.