MOGADISHU — Somalia’s security agencies have reported a series of military operations and airstrikes against Al-Shabaab in parts of the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions, saying several senior commanders and fighters were killed.

The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said a planned operation in Warciise, approximately 25 kilometres from Jowhar, resulted in the deaths of nine Al-Shabaab members, including two senior commanders.

According to NISA, those killed included Ahmed Ali Jimale, whom the agency identified as Al-Shabaab’s commander for Jowhar district, and Geeddi Mohamed Nur Adde, who was said to be responsible for the group’s activities in the Dumaaye and Dabagaalo areas.

The agency said the two commanders had been under surveillance for an extended period and that their movements and activities had been closely monitored before the operation was carried out. Seven other Al-Shabaab members accompanying them were also killed, according to the statement.

In a separate statement, the Somali military said the Somali National Army, with support from international partners, conducted a series of operations and airstrikes overnight in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan.

The military said an Al-Shabaab gathering in Warciise was targeted during the operation. Preliminary assessments cited in the statement indicated that 11 commanders were killed, including Ahmed Ali Jimale, Geedi Cadaawe, Geedi Guuleed Abu Nabhaan and Yaasir Kormeed.

Further operations were reported in the Teedaan and Yasoomane areas of Hiiraan region, where the military said 15 Al-Shabaab fighters and commanders were killed and 17 others wounded.

Those reported killed in the Hiiraan operations included Ahmed Macallin, Zakariye, Muse Omar and Macallin Khalid.

In Yasoomane, the military said eight Al-Shabaab fighters were killed, while two commanders identified as Albaani and Bukhaari were wounded in an airstrike.

According to the military, a total of seven airstrikes were conducted against locations where Al-Shabaab commanders and fighters were believed to be operating or meeting.

The separate statements issued by NISA and the military differed over some details of the Warciise operation. NISA reported that nine Al-Shabaab members were killed, while the military said 11 commanders had been killed. The two accounts also differed on some of the names and positions of those reported dead.

The claims could not be independently verified.

Somali security authorities said the operations are part of an ongoing campaign to weaken Al-Shabaab’s leadership, disrupt its operational networks and reduce the group’s ability to plan and carry out attacks.

NISA also called on members of the public to provide information on the activities and movements of Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-linked militants, saying public cooperation remains an important part of efforts to prevent security threats and protect civilians.