Somali forces and AU troops kill more than 42 al-Shabaab militants in Lower Shabelle

Friday March 27, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — More than 40 al-Shabab militants were killed on Thursday when the group tried to reclaim a town recently taken in southern Somalia, according to officials.

The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said the clashes broke out in Mubarak, a strategically placed settlement in the Lower Shabelle region that joint forces from the Somali National Armed Forces and African Union troops seized earlier this month.

According to AUSSOM, militants launched an attack on a forward operating base manned by Somali troops alongside Ugandan personnel deployed under the African Union mission. The allied force repelled the offensive, killing over 40 militants and wounding several more. AUSSOM said the figures had not been independently verified.

Ambassador El-Hadji Ibrahima Diene, head of AUSSOM and special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission, commended the operation.

“I commend the gallant efforts of AUSSOM and the SNAF troops in decisively responding and thwarting the threat during the attack,” Ambassador Diene said. “This demonstrates the SNAF’s capacity to sustain the fight against Al-Shabaab and secure communities, and underscores AUSSOM’s commitment to the Somali-led peace, security and stability process,” he added.

Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma, AUSSOM Force Commander, said the mission will press on with counterterrorism efforts across south-central Somalia alongside Somali security forces.

“AUSSOM troops will continue to support the Somali Security Forces to dismantle the terrorists and their networks until they are fully cleared. Somalia deserves lasting peace and stability,” Kavuma said.

Situated in Qoryoley district, Mubarak is viewed as an important gateway to major population centers in Lower Shabelle.

Al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked extremist group, has waged a long-running insurgency in Somalia, attacking government institutions, security forces and civilians. Somali authorities, supported by African Union forces and international partners, have intensified operations to regain territory from the group.