26 October 2021
A joint military operation by the federal government and AMISOM forces has taken control of the key town of Basra in the Lower Shabelle region.
Basra has been under al-Shabaab control for some time, where it has carried out a number of deadly attacks on AMISOM, government forces and civilians.
A statement from AMISOM said an operation from October 16th to 22nd by Gorgor forces, backed by AMISOM, led to al-Shabaab being expelled from Basra
The week-long operation began as Gorgor and AMISOM forces pursued al-Shabaab in the village of Baghdad in the Lower Shabelle region. The troops then intercepted an al-Shabaab fugitive in the village of Nadar Salaam, about 1.5km south of Basra.
The commander of the 1st Division, General Don Nabasa, said the capture of Basra was important because it was a base for frequent al-Shabaab attacks.
“Basra was also used to prepare explosive-laden vehicles and to collect taxes from local farmers and traders,” said General Don Nabasa.
The Somali government has not yet commented on the capture of Basra.