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Somali government forces have killed at least 10 al-Shabaab fighters in a late-night military operation near Hudur district in the Bakool region, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The Somali National Army (SNA) launched the raid on Tuesday night, about eight kilometers from Hudur town, following intelligence reports that the extremist group was planning an attack in the area.
According to the government, the operation was a rapid response to intelligence that revealed al-Shabaab militants were mobilizing for an assault on Hudur. SNA units from the 60th Division moved swiftly to intercept them before they could carry out their plans. A brief but fierce exchange of fire followed, resulting in the deaths of more than 10 militants. Several others were reportedly wounded, while the rest fled into nearby bushland.
“The Somali National Army, after receiving information about the enemy’s movements, quickly thwarted the plot by the militants. A brief battle took place, causing heavy losses to the group,” a government statement said. Major General Mohamed Yaris, the commander of the SNA’s 60th Division, told state media that his forces also seized a cache of weapons during the operation, including BKM heavy machine guns and several AK-47 rifles. He said the recovered weapons would help prevent future attacks and weaken the group’s capacity to launch assaults in the region.
General Yaris praised the soldiers for their discipline, courage, and quick action, emphasizing that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to eliminate al-Shabaab from Bakool and other parts of southern Somalia. He noted that the troops had intensified their presence in strategic areas surrounding Hudur to stop militants from regrouping or threatening civilians.
“Our forces are determined to clear out all remaining pockets of al-Shabaab in the region. We will not allow them to harm our people or destabilize our towns,” General Yaris said. He added that the national army is working closely with local intelligence officers and community elders to ensure that security operations are well-coordinated and that civilians are kept safe during such missions.
Residents in Hudur reported hearing gunfire on Tuesday night but said calm returned by morning. Some residents expressed relief that government forces acted before militants could strike. “We heard heavy gunfire for a short time, then it stopped. The situation is normal now, and people are going about their day,” one local resident told reporters.
Al-Shabaab, which has fought the Somali government for more than 15 years, continues to pose a serious security threat despite ongoing military offensives. The group, which aims to overthrow the government and impose its strict version of Islamic law, still operates in parts of southern and central Somalia, carrying out deadly bombings and ambushes. However, Somali forces, supported by regional allies and international partners, have made notable gains in recent years, reclaiming several areas previously controlled by the group.
Security analysts say that such targeted operations near key districts like Hudur are crucial in weakening al-Shabaab’s operational networks and cutting off their access to supply routes. The government has vowed to sustain the military pressure until the group’s remaining strongholds are dismantled.
For many in Bakool, the recent success offers a sense of hope that peace and stability could soon return to the region. The Somali government continues to urge residents to cooperate with security agencies by sharing information that could help prevent future attacks and keep communities safe.