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Somali government forces, working together with African Union troops, Ugandan forces and international partners, have killed more than 30 al-Shabab militants during a coordinated security operation in the Lower Shabelle region, authorities confirmed. The operation was part of ongoing efforts to weaken the armed group’s presence in one of Somalia’s most volatile areas.
The fighting took place near the Bulunagaad Forward Operating Base, where units of the Somali National Army joined forces with the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. According to security officials, the joint operation involved carefully planned ground maneuvers supported by air operations, allowing the allied forces to confront militants across several locations.
Officials said the clashes followed an attack launched by al-Shabab fighters against Somali and African Union troops who were carrying out pursuit operations in the area. In response, the joint forces moved quickly to repel the assault, leading to multiple engagements that resulted in the deaths of dozens of militants. Several other fighters were reportedly wounded during the fighting, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
The pursuit operation was linked to recent Somali National Army-led offensives known as Operation Hidden Sword. These offensives have pushed al-Shabab fighters out of key coastal towns, including Gendershe, and disrupted their movements along the strategic Jilib–Marka corridor. Security officials said the pressure from these earlier operations forced militants to retreat and attempt counterattacks on military positions, including forward operating bases.
A military statement described the response by the joint forces as swift and decisive, emphasizing that the operation was designed to neutralize threats not only to security personnel but also to civilians living in surrounding communities. Authorities said the coordination between Somali forces, African Union troops and regional partners played a critical role in the outcome of the operation.
Lower Shabelle remains one of the most contested regions in Somalia, despite years of sustained military pressure against al-Shabab. The region is considered strategically important due to its location and road networks, which the militant group has long used as transit routes and supply lines. Militants have frequently targeted military bases, checkpoints and supply convoys in an effort to disrupt government control and maintain their influence.
Somali and African Union officials said the latest operation was not only aimed at reducing al-Shabab’s fighting capability but also at improving security for civilians. By securing key roads and surrounding areas, the joint forces hope to ensure the safe movement of humanitarian aid, commercial goods and essential supplies to communities that have often been cut off due to insecurity.
The Somali National Army and AUSSOM reiterated their commitment to continuing joint operations with regional and international partners. They said sustained cooperation is essential to weakening al-Shabab’s operational reach and preventing the group from regrouping or launching new attacks.
Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, has been fighting Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade. Although Somali forces, with support from international partners, have reclaimed significant territory in recent years, the group remains capable of carrying out coordinated attacks, particularly in southern regions like Lower Shabelle.
Security officials said operations like the one near Bulunagaad are part of a broader strategy to bring long-term stability to the country. By maintaining pressure on militant strongholds and protecting key infrastructure, authorities believe they can gradually reduce the threat posed by al-Shabab and create safer conditions for governance, development and humanitarian assistance to take root.