MOGADISHU — Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced on Saturday, March 14, 2026, that at least 22 Al-Shabaab fighters, including several senior figures, were killed in a series of coordinated operations in central Somalia. The operations, conducted in collaboration with international security partners, focused on the Dumaaye area of the Mudug region and the Mahas district of the Hiran region. According to official statements, the strikes targeted militant leaders who were gathered to finalize plans for terrorist attacks against civilians and security forces. In Mudug, 15 militants were neutralized, including senior leaders identified as Hudeyfa Galinle and Qataatow. A separate strike in Hiran targeted a residence used by guards for Mustafa Caato, a regional Al-Shabaab leader, resulting in seven deaths, including key financial operatives. Somali officials stated that these operations are part of an intensified campaign to dismantle the group's leadership structure and eliminate remaining hideouts in the central regions.