Somali forces free More than 30 hostages in surgical raids on Al-Shabaab strongholds

AFGOYE, Somalia — The Somali National Army rescued more than 30 civilians from Al-Shabaab detention sites during a targeted operation in Lower Shabelle, the Ministry of Defence said, marking one of the most significant hostage recoveries in recent months.

The raid unfolded in Buula Madiina, a rural area in Afgoye district, where hostages were being held in makeshift camps, ministry officials said. Among those freed were at least two women. Somali forces killed three Al-Shabaab operatives guarding the compound and dismantled a small jail and a so-called court the group used to coerce and intimidate residents, according to the ministry.

Authorities did not immediately release images or extensive details about the rescued civilians, citing security considerations and the need to verify identities. Officials said the freed hostages were undergoing screening and medical checks before being reunited with their families or transferred to support services.

“The operation restored the freedom of 30 citizens who terrorists had been holding,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the mission was planned to minimize civilian harm. It was not immediately clear how long the captives had been detained or whether any suffered injuries. There were no reports of casualties among the security forces.

Al-Shabaab, which has a history of detaining civilians to extort money, had not commented on the incident as of Thursday. Somali officials say ransom-based abductions have declined as security operations intensify across multiple fronts, including in parts of southern and central Somalia.

The rescue underscores the government’s campaign to disrupt Al-Shabaab’s control infrastructure in rural areas, where the militant group has long relied on parallel courts, prisons and tax networks to enforce its rule. By destroying the detention site and the informal tribunal, the army sought to erode those tools of intimidation, the ministry indicated.

The operation is part of a broader push by Somali security forces to extend state authority and protect civilians in regions where militants have sought to reassert influence. While officials described the raid as successful, they cautioned that further investigations are underway to determine the circumstances of the kidnappings and to identify potential accomplices or facilitators.

Authorities urged communities to report suspicious activities and said support services would be provided to those rescued, including medical treatment and counseling. The government also reiterated its commitment to work with regional and international partners to prevent future abductions and to pursue those responsible for targeting civilians.

Key details

• Location: Buula Madiina, Afgoye district, Lower Shabelle
• Rescued: More than 30 civilians, including two women
• Militants killed: Three Al-Shabaab operatives at the site
• Infrastructure destroyed: A small jail and an informal court
• Status of hostages: Undergoing screening and medical checks
• Al-Shabaab response: No immediate claim or statement

Somali officials framed the mission as a step toward restoring confidence in state institutions in areas where residents have often faced threats and forced compliance from militants. As the government continues operations across several front lines, it has urged patience and cooperation from local communities, promising that more resources are being directed to civilian protection and stabilization.

AXADLETM

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.