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Somali National Army (SNA) troops, working together with the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), have carried out a major offensive against the al-Shabaab militant group in the Lower Shabelle region.
According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the week-long operation, which ended on Friday evening, resulted in the deaths of more than 100 al-Shabaab fighters. Several others were captured alive during the fighting.
The joint forces also took control of Bariire, a strategically important farming town located about 73 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of Mogadishu. Bariire has long been used by al-Shabaab as a base for planning attacks and collecting resources. Its location makes it a key link between rural militant hideouts and routes leading toward the Somali capital.
Defense officials said that after capturing Bariire, Somali and Ugandan troops began sweeping nearby villages and farmland to ensure no militants remained. During these clearance operations, the forces discovered and seized a large cache of weapons, ammunition, and other military supplies believed to have been stored for future attacks.
This recent success comes just days after a similar offensive in the same region earlier in the week. In that earlier battle, at least 70 al-Shabaab fighters were killed, further weakening the group’s presence in Lower Shabelle. However, the fighting has not been without losses for the Somali forces. During Monday’s clashes, two SNA soldiers were killed and 12 others wounded.
Lower Shabelle has been one of al-Shabaab’s main strongholds for years, providing the militants with fertile agricultural land, river access, and routes for smuggling goods and weapons. Securing this area has been a top priority for the Somali government as it seeks to push militants further away from major cities and disrupt their ability to fund and organize attacks.
Al-Shabaab has been engaged in a violent insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years. The group, which is linked to al-Qaeda, regularly carries out deadly bombings, assassinations, and raids targeting Somali security forces, government officials, and civilians. Despite losing control of most major towns and cities, the group still maintains influence in many rural areas, where it imposes its own harsh laws and collects taxes from residents.
The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which replaced the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) in 2022, has been working closely with Somali forces to train soldiers, plan operations, and provide military support. Uganda, along with other African Union member states, contributes troops to the mission to help stabilize the country and prepare Somali forces to take full responsibility for national security in the coming years.
Military experts say the recapture of Bariire is a significant step in the ongoing fight against al-Shabaab. The town’s location makes it a valuable strategic win, as controlling it can help the Somali government cut off militant supply lines and reduce the threat to Mogadishu. However, they also warn that al-Shabaab often responds to such losses with retaliatory attacks, and the security forces must remain alert to prevent the group from regaining control.
For now, Somali officials are hailing the operation as proof that joint efforts between the SNA and international partners are making progress. The Ministry of Defense stressed that more operations are planned in the Lower Shabelle and other regions until all remaining al-Shabaab hideouts are eliminated.
Despite the challenges ahead, the Somali government says it is committed to continuing the fight, protecting civilians, and restoring stability to all parts of the country.