Somali Minister of Defense Ahmed Moalim Fiqi announced on Wednesday that more than 120 terrorist fighters, including a senior commander, were killed in simultaneous military operations conducted across multiple regions of the country over the past 72 hours.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Mogadishu, Fiqi stated that ongoing military operations against extremist elements have entered “a new and decisive phase,” affirming that “the campaign to liberate Somali territory from terrorists will continue without interruption.”

The defense minister noted significant ground gains by Somali forces across various fronts as part of a broader strategy to retake areas controlled by militant groups. The operations are reportedly being conducted with growing logistical and security support from international partners.

The announcement comes amid heightened security efforts by the Somali government to dismantle the threat posed by al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group that continues to stage deadly attacks throughout the country.