The Somali National Army, with support from US Africa Command (AFRICOM), has launched decisive counteroffensives against al-Shabaab, killing at least 47 militants in separate operations in Middle Shabelle and South West State. The operations come amid growing concerns of a jihadist resurgence in Somalia following a series of bold al-Shabaab attacks.
In the central town of Aadan Yabaal, Somali forces carried out a joint airstrike late Wednesday targeting a militant gathering. The Somali Ministry of Information confirmed that 12 al-Shabaab fighters — referred to as “Khawaarij” by the government — including senior operatives, were killed. The strike, coordinated with AFRICOM, deliberately avoided civilian casualties, the statement emphasized.
The operation followed a surprise attack by al-Shabaab earlier that day, during which the group briefly overran Aadan Yabaal. Located about 245 kilometers northeast of Mogadishu, the town is strategically vital, acting as a logistical bridge between Hirshabelle and Galmudug states. It had previously been liberated in a 2022 joint offensive by Somali forces and community militias.
Meanwhile, in South West State, government troops thwarted a major al-Shabaab assault on an army base near Baidoa, killing at least 35 fighters. Local Darwish forces repelled the attackers after intense fighting. The city of Baidoa, also 245 kilometers from the capital but to the southwest, is the largest urban center in the state and a key stronghold for federal forces.
Following the failed attack, hundreds of civilians marched through Baidoa to show solidarity with the Somali National Army and state forces, signaling popular resistance to militant threats.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who recently visited Aadan Yabaal and met with top military officials, has remained defiant in the face of al-Shabaab’s latest moves. While acknowledging the fluidity of the battlefield, he insisted that the extremist group is significantly weakened and that Somalia remains on track to reclaim control of its territory.
Al-Shabaab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, has waged a violent insurgency against the Somali government for nearly two decades. Despite sustained pressure from Somali troops and international partners, the group continues to control parts of southern and central Somalia, launching frequent attacks against civilians and government institutions.
The recent operations underscore the Somali government’s renewed determination to dismantle the group’s presence and maintain momentum in its long-running campaign to restore national security.