In a coordinated military response, the United States and Somali forces launched a decisive airstrike against Islamist militants in the central town of Adan Yabaal, according to government reports. This tactical operation, which the Somali information ministry described as "well-coordinated," followed a fierce assault by al-Shabab on the town, a strategic location essential for military operations.

The airstrike, carried out on Wednesday evening by the Somali armed forces in collaboration with U.S. Africa Command (Africom), resulted in the deaths of 12 militants, including several senior figures within the al-Qaeda-affiliated group, as reported through a statement on X. The operation aims to counter a rise in militant activity, stemming from growing fears of a potential jihadist resurgence in Somalia, highlighted by a bold attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy last month.

Al-Shabab, a formidable force that has maintained control over vast territories in southern and central Somalia for nearly two decades, has been relentless in its pursuit to overthrow the federal government and establish an Islamic state. Despite recent military pressure from the African Union-led peacekeeping force, which succeeded in pushing the group onto the defensive in 2022 and 2023, the threat from al-Shabab remains significant, as indicated by a series of attacks in recent weeks.

The Somali government characterized the recent airstrike as an essential measure to "neutralize the threat posed" by the militants. The information ministry asserted that the targeted strike specifically hit a location being used by the militants as both a gathering point and a hideout, proudly noting that "there were no civilian casualties."

Located in the Middle Shabelle region, Adan Yabaal was under the control of al-Shabab until it was recaptured by government forces in 2022. The strategic importance of this town was underscored last month when President Mohamud himself visited the area, meeting with military commanders to discuss the ongoing fight against the militants.

On the ground, violence erupted early Wednesday as al-Shabab fighters, armed with heavy explosives, launched an attack on Adan Yabaal. Local sources indicated that the militants had temporarily seized control of the town, although the government has yet to clarify the current situation regarding control of the area.

In a related development, the Somali national army reported that it successfully eliminated at least 35 al-Shabab fighters near Baidoa on Thursday, thwarting an attempt to attack an army base. These confrontations underscore the volatile security situation in Somalia, where President Mohamud has sought to address the public's concerns. He downplayed recent militant advances, positing that occasional setbacks on the battlefield are an unavoidable facet of war, while reiterating his government's unwavering determination to eradicate the militant threat.