The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) forces in close collaboration with international partners said on Tuesday that they carried out a planned air strike that took place in Tawakal area in Lower Shabelle region.
In a statement, NISA said that at least 7 Al-Shabab militants were successfully eliminated, while several Al-Shabab commanders suffered catastrophic injuries.
According to an official statement released by NISA, the airstrike specifically targeted a facility belonging to Al-Shabab militants located in the Tawakal area, after NISA received intelligence reports confirming the presence of prominent Al-Shabab leaders there.
The target was an indoor location where the leaders used to meet privately, and the airstrike was carried out while they were present there.
NISA further disclosed that prominent Al-Shabab leaders who were present there were among Yonis Ma’alin Abukar— who was responsible of Mushaani area for the militant group, Abuu Haji Farey—who was the head of Tawakal area for the militant group, Ayatulah, the leader of Shabelle Front, and Abdifatah Roble- the leader responsible for extortion in Baladul-Amin area.
Initial reports from NISA point out that Yonis Ma’alin Abukar and Abdifatah Roble suffered catastrophic injuries from the airstrike. NISA further revealed that the operation is part of the ongoing efforts which are aimed at degrading the operational capabilities of Al-Shabab, eliminating Al-Shabab leaders and dismantling facilities the group use to organize and plan acts of insecurity.
