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Somali officials say at least 250 Al-Shabab militants were killed after government and allied forces repelled a major attack on the coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region, in what authorities describe as one of the group’s heaviest losses in recent months. The assault, which targeted Kudhaa Island and surrounding areas, was foiled following intense fighting that left the militant group severely weakened.
The governor of Badhaadhe district, Hassan Nur Abdi, confirmed the updated casualty figures on Saturday, saying the militants launched a coordinated attack aimed at overrunning the town. Government forces, backed by regional allies, responded swiftly and decisively, forcing the attackers to retreat after sustaining heavy losses.
According to Abdi, the confirmed number of Al-Shabab fighters killed stands at around 250, though recovery operations are still ongoing in some areas affected by the clashes. He said the figure had been verified by security officials on the ground. In addition to those killed, eight militants were captured alive during the fighting, while at least eight combat vehicles belonging to the group were destroyed.
“The enemy attacked us, but we pushed them back decisively,” Abdi said, describing the outcome as a major blow to the militant group’s operational capacity. He added that the scale of the losses suffered by Al-Shabab would make it difficult for the group to reorganize or launch similar attacks in the region in the near future.
Abdi referred to the militants as “Khawarij,” a term commonly used by Somali authorities when describing Al-Shabab, and said the defeat would significantly weaken the group’s presence in Jubbaland. He expressed confidence that the militants would struggle to re-establish themselves in the area following the failed assault.
The fighting erupted after Al-Shabab fighters attempted to seize control of Kudhaa, a strategic coastal location in Lower Juba. Somali government troops, including elite Danab special forces and Jubbaland regional units, carried out sustained ground operations to repel the attack. Officials said the response was supported by international partners, though specific details were not disclosed.
Security forces have since launched pursuit operations in nearby areas to track down any surviving militants who may have fled the battlefield. Authorities say these efforts are aimed at preventing the group from regrouping or carrying out retaliatory attacks.
Governor Abdi said the security situation in Kudhaa has stabilized following the clashes and that normalcy is gradually returning to the area. Civilians who were displaced during the fighting have begun returning to their homes, and local authorities are working to restore essential services and ensure continued security.
Al-Shabab has not issued any statement regarding the reported casualties. The group is known for carrying out complex attacks on military and government targets across southern Somalia but rarely acknowledges losses of this magnitude.
The battle for Kudhaa comes as Somali authorities intensify military operations across Lower and Middle Juba as part of a broader campaign to dismantle Al-Shabab strongholds. Officials say the focus remains on securing key coastal towns and rural areas that have long been used by the group for movement, supply, and planning.
Government leaders have repeatedly said sustained pressure on the militant group is necessary to reduce its ability to threaten civilians and state institutions. The outcome of the Kudhaa operation, they argue, demonstrates growing coordination between Somali forces and their allies and signals continued momentum in the fight against Al-Shabab.