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Galmudug regional leader Ahmed Abdi Kariye has praised the Somali National Army (SNA) and local militia forces after they successfully repelled a major Al-Shabaab attack in El-Dheer district of Galguduud region on Friday morning.
In a statement after the fighting, Kariye commended the bravery of Somali forces and the people of El-Dheer, saying they had dealt a strong blow to the militants. He described the community’s resistance as a powerful message to the extremist group that its days of terrorizing Somali citizens are nearing an end.
“The strength of the country and the people of El-Dheer—you have taught an unforgettable lesson this morning to the terrorists who attacked you. You have sent a message of courage that shows the days of terrorists hiding inside our country to harm our honorable people are running out,” Kariye declared.
The Somali Defence Ministry confirmed that more than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed when government forces, backed by community militias, fought off the militants’ dawn assault. Officials said the battle was the heaviest in Galguduud this week. According to the ministry, six Somali soldiers lost their lives in the clashes while 14 others were wounded. Several Al-Shabaab commanders known for organizing attacks against civilians were also captured during the fighting.
Residents of El-Dheer reported that the militants suffered heavy casualties, with bodies of fighters left scattered outside the town after the battle. Witnesses said the scale of the losses highlighted the determination of Somali forces and the local population to resist the group’s attempts to destabilize the region.
Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi applauded the efforts of the joint forces, calling their defense of El-Dheer a display of courage and unity. He noted that Al-Shabaab had been unable to retrieve its dead and wounded fighters, which further demonstrated the extent of their defeat.
Al-Shabaab, however, tried to counter the government’s announcement by claiming on its online channels that it had captured El-Dheer and killed several government soldiers. These claims could not be independently verified. Local officials immediately dismissed the statement as propaganda. District Commissioner Abdirahman Ahmed Omar called the militants’ message “a fabricated lie meant to mislead the public and create fear.”
Friday’s attack was part of ongoing clashes in central Somalia, where government troops and local fighters have been pushing back against Al-Shabaab’s presence. In recent months, the Somali government has emphasized the importance of mobilizing local communities alongside national forces to secure towns and villages. This strategy has proved effective in areas like El-Dheer, where residents joined hands with the military to resist militant advances.
For many in the region, the successful defense of El-Dheer carried symbolic weight, showing that local communities are no longer willing to be intimidated or controlled by Al-Shabaab. Leaders at both the regional and national levels have stressed that these victories are a sign of progress in Somalia’s fight against terrorism.
The clashes also underline the human cost of the conflict, with soldiers and civilians continuing to risk their lives in the struggle to secure stability. While the battle inflicted heavy losses on the militants, the deaths of six soldiers served as a reminder of the sacrifices being made by Somalia’s security forces and their partners on the ground.
Authorities say the government remains committed to defeating Al-Shabaab and will continue to strengthen coordination between the Somali National Army, regional administrations, and local communities. With each successful defense, officials argue, Al-Shabaab loses both fighters and credibility, narrowing the group’s ability to threaten Somali citizens.
The situation in El-Dheer reflects a broader national effort to reclaim territory and restore peace. For the people of Galguduud, Friday’s battle was more than just a military victory—it was proof of resilience, unity, and the determination to build a safer future.