At least 20 al-Shabaab militants were killed after Somali government forces repelled an attack in central Hiraan, officials said.
The Defense Ministry announced late Sunday that Somali troops, supported by local militias, thwarted the assault on military positions.
“Nearly 20 militants were killed, others fled. Pursuit operations are ongoing,” the ministry stated on X, vowing to continue the fight.
Hiraan has remained a key battleground since 2022 in Somalia’s struggle against the al-Qaeda-linked group.
Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging it had killed 33 government soldiers, according to its website Al-Furqaan.
In a separate operation, Somalia’s intelligence agency, working with international partners, struck militant targets in Hiraan and Middle Shabelle.
The agency reported inflicting casualties on al-Shabaab fighters and leaders in Mabah and Aden Yabaal districts.
The Somali government refers to al-Shabaab as “Khawarij,” a term for extremist outcasts.
For more than 16 years, al-Shabaab has waged a deadly insurgency, frequently targeting officials, soldiers, and civilians alike.
Despite years of international support, Somalia remains gripped by insecurity, with al-Shabaab and ISIS posing persistent threats.
