A suspected airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab militants was reported Friday night in the Basra area, a strategic corridor situated between Balcad and Afgooye in Somalia’s Middle and Lower Shabelle regions.
According to Hiiraan Online local residents told media sources that several loud explosions were heard in the area overnight, with the strike believed to have hit a known militant hideout on the outskirts of Basra. The area is said to be frequently used by senior Al-Shabaab operatives for planning and coordination.
Though details remain scarce, early accounts suggest that the strike may have inflicted serious losses on the group. The number of casualties has not yet been confirmed, and no group or nation has officially claimed responsibility for the operation. As of Saturday morning, Somali authorities had not released a formal statement regarding the strike.
The incident aligns with a pattern of increased aerial operations in Somalia this year, often attributed to ongoing counterterrorism efforts by the Somali government and its international allies. The United States, in particular, has previously carried out precision airstrikes against high-value Al-Shabaab and ISIS targets in southern and central Somalia.
Basra’s location between two major towns and its reputation as a former militant stronghold has made it a consistent focus of military campaigns seeking to weaken Al-Shabaab’s command and logistical networks.
Observers view the latest strike as part of a broader push to degrade the group’s capabilities and restrict its movement within key regions of Somalia.