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Ugandan soldiers serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), along with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), have killed more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants in a major military operation in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia.
The joint offensive began early Friday morning on August 1, 2025, and focused on Bariire — a strategic town located about 50 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital.
According to AUSSOM, several senior Al-Shabaab commanders were killed during the attack. These included Mohammed Abdallah, who specialized in anti-tank weapons; Sadam Ibrahim, an expert in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs); and Abas, a key infantry commander in the group.
AUSSOM confirmed that the operation caused heavy losses to Al-Shabaab, with over 50 fighters killed and many more injured. They also dismissed rumors circulating in the media that suggested Ugandan troops had suffered major casualties during the battle.
“The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group,” said AUSSOM in an official statement, adding that their forces remain on the ground and are continuing efforts to secure the area.
The attack in Bariire is part of a wider military campaign known as Operation Silent Storm. This campaign aims to reclaim key towns in the Lower Shabelle region — including Sabiid, Anole, Bariire, and Awdheegle — from Al-Shabaab control. Ugandan and Somali forces have already successfully recaptured Sabiid and Anole in earlier phases of the mission.
Bariire has long been a stronghold for Al-Shabaab and is considered a key location due to its strategic position and access to roads connecting rural areas to the capital. The group has used it as a base for planning and launching attacks.
In recent weeks, Al-Shabaab has suffered major setbacks in Lower Shabelle, with nearly 100 militants reportedly killed in separate operations. This latest offensive further weakens the group’s hold in the region and is seen as a major step forward in efforts to restore stability and security in Somalia.
AUSSOM praised the coordination between its troops and the Somali National Armed Forces, calling the collaboration “a model for future joint operations.”
The mission is still ongoing, with Ugandan and Somali troops sweeping the area to ensure all remaining militants are neutralized and local communities are protected.
Lower Shabelle has been a hotspot of Al-Shabaab activity for years, and controlling towns like Bariire is crucial in cutting off the group’s movements and supply routes. The success of Operation Silent Storm is expected to bring relief to local residents who have lived under the threat of violence for a long time.
The Somali government and its allies, including the African Union, continue to stress the importance of defeating Al-Shabaab to achieve long-term peace and development in the country.
Authorities have not yet given an official timeline for the end of the operation, but they emphasize that clearing and holding the recaptured towns is as important as taking them back from militants.
With Bariire now mostly under control and Al-Shabaab’s losses mounting, the momentum appears to be on the side of the joint forces as they push forward with Operation Silent Storm.