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Somalia’s Defense Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, has described the capture of two key towns in the Lower Shabelle region as a major victory against the militant group al-Shabab. Speaking in Mogadishu on Tuesday, he said the operation shows that the government is stepping up its military campaign during the holy month of Ramadan instead of slowing down.
Government forces, working alongside Ugandan troops under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia and other international partners, took full control of the towns of Mubarak and Daarusalaam. The offensive, which lasted three days, was carried out under the name “Operation Badar.”
According to Fiqi, the Somali National Army led a coordinated attack on what he described as important al-Shabab strongholds and safe havens. He said the goal was to remove the group from strategic locations and break up facilities used to plan attacks, make explosives, and collect illegal taxes from local residents.
“This year’s Ramadan is not a month of rest for terrorists,” Fiqi told reporters. He said the government is determined to intensify its efforts so that ordinary citizens can live without fear and hardship. The Somali government often refers to al-Shabab as “Khawarij,” a term it uses to describe extremist elements.
The minister explained that Mubarak was especially important to the militant group. He said it had been used as a base for organizing attacks in Mogadishu and for moving fighters across parts of southern Somalia. By capturing the town, security forces have disrupted those operations and reduced the group’s ability to coordinate assaults, he added.
Fiqi stated that about 50 al-Shabab fighters, including some senior members, were killed during the operation. He said casualties among Somali forces and African Union troops were minimal, although he did not give exact numbers. There has been no independent confirmation of the reported death toll.
Earlier, the Ministry of Defense said the operation also led to the destruction of militant command centers, weapons storage facilities, and other infrastructure used to plan and launch attacks. Officials believe this will weaken the group’s presence in the region and limit its ability to regroup in the short term.
Lower Shabelle, located southwest of Mogadishu, has long been considered a key area in the conflict. Its closeness to the capital makes it strategically important, and its fertile farmland provides resources that armed groups have often tried to control. For years, al-Shabab has used parts of the region as a corridor to transport fighters and supplies.
The defense minister called on the public to support the armed forces and cooperate with security agencies. He emphasized that community backing is essential to defeating the insurgency and maintaining control of newly captured areas. He also repeated the government’s promise to continue military operations until the militant group is fully defeated.
In addition, Fiqi urged al-Shabab members to surrender and take advantage of the government’s amnesty and rehabilitation programs. He said fighters who renounce violence and choose peace would be given an opportunity to reintegrate into society.
Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaida, has been fighting Somalia’s federal government for more than 16 years. The group has carried out bombings, assassinations, and complex attacks targeting security forces, government officials, and civilians. Despite repeated military offensives, it continues to pose a serious security threat in parts of the country.
The recent gains in Lower Shabelle are being presented by the government as a sign of progress in its broader campaign to stabilize the country. Officials say sustained pressure, regional cooperation, and public support will be key to preventing the militants from regaining lost ground.