Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), in coordination with international partners, has carried out a planned military operation targeting Al-Shabaab militants in central and southern Somalia, killing at least 40 fighters, officials said.

According to a statement released in Mogadishu, the operation struck areas in the Hiiraan and Lower Shabelle regions, resulting in significant militant casualties.

NISA said a joint air and ground offensive was conducted in the Wabey area and surrounding locations in the district of Maxaas, within Hiiraan. The agency reported that 17 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the assault, and two vehicles transporting militants were destroyed.

In a separate operation, NISA forces, working alongside international partners, targeted a gathering of senior Al-Shabaab members in the village of Bulo-nagey in Lower Shabelle. Authorities said 23 militants were killed in that strike, including individuals described as senior figures responsible for coordinating the group’s activities in the region.

The agency noted that the operations were based on verified intelligence assessments and formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle Al-Shabaab networks across the country.

NISA urged civilians to remain vigilant and report any information related to Al-Shabaab or ISIS activities through its public contact numbers.

The operations come amid intensified efforts by Somali security forces to weaken militant strongholds and disrupt their operational capabilities nationwide.