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Somali government forces have taken control of an area in southern Somalia that had been used as a hideout by the Al Shabab militant group, according to a statement released Wednesday by the country’s Defence Ministry. The development comes as part of an ongoing military campaign aimed at weakening the group and removing its presence from key regions.
The Defence Ministry said Somali troops captured the Hawaadley area in the Middle Shabelle region during a recently launched operation known as Operation Badr. The offensive is focused on targeting locations that the group has been using as safe havens to plan attacks, store weapons and organize fighters.
Officials said the army is now working to fully secure Hawaadley and surrounding areas after pushing Al Shabab fighters out. Military units remain in the area to track down any remaining militants and to carry out clearance operations to ensure the area is safe. According to the ministry, soldiers destroyed several militant positions during the operation, including storage facilities believed to have been used to keep weapons and supplies.
Authorities described the capture of the area as an important step in the broader effort to reduce the influence of the Al Qaeda-linked group in central and southern Somalia. For years, Al Shabab has maintained strongholds in rural areas where government presence has been limited. These locations have allowed the group to move fighters, plan attacks, and threaten nearby communities.
The Defence Ministry and military leadership said the current operations are part of a wider push to eliminate the group’s networks and restore stability to areas that have been affected by the insurgency. They emphasized that military pressure against the group will continue to increase in the coming months.
Earlier this month, the government announced the start of another campaign called Operation Rolling Thunder. This operation forms part of the larger Operation Badr offensive and involves coordinated efforts between Somali forces and their international partners.
Among the supporting forces are Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM. The mission works alongside Somali forces to help fight militant groups, provide security support, and assist with stabilization efforts in areas recovered from extremists.
Somalia has been battling Al Shabab for more than 16 years. The group has carried out numerous attacks across the country, often targeting government buildings, security forces, public places and civilians. The militants have also launched bombings and ambushes in urban centers, including the capital, Mogadishu.
Despite repeated military offensives over the years, Al Shabab has continued to operate in parts of southern and central Somalia, relying on remote areas to regroup and rebuild its networks. However, Somali authorities say recent operations have significantly increased pressure on the group.
Since July last year, Somali forces have stepped up their campaign against the militants with the support of international partners. The operations have focused on dismantling militant bases, cutting off supply routes, and reclaiming territory previously controlled by the group.
International support remains a key part of Somalia’s efforts to defeat the militants. The United Nations Security Council in December approved the extension of AUSSOM’s mandate for another year. The decision followed a resolution backed by the United Kingdom that allows the mission to continue operating in Somalia until December 31.
The extension ensures that African Union forces and other international partners can continue assisting Somali troops in counterterrorism operations and stabilization efforts.
Somali officials say reclaiming areas like Hawaadley is critical for restoring government control and allowing local communities to return to normal life. The military says it will continue operations to clear remaining militants and prevent them from re-establishing bases in the region.
Authorities have also urged communities to cooperate with security forces by sharing information that could help identify militant activities. They say cooperation between residents and the military is essential for maintaining security in newly recovered areas.
While challenges remain, Somali leaders say the ongoing operations show the government’s determination to weaken Al Shabab and move the country closer to long-term peace and stability.