Somali forces kill more than 130 Al-Shabaab militants to repel major attack on Kudhaa, ministry says
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and allied regional troops repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault on the strategic town of Kudhaa in the country’s south, killing more than 130 militants in a daylong battle, the Ministry of Defence said Thursday.
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The 24-hour operation unfolded in Kudhaa, about 70 kilometers southwest of the port city of Kismayo, and drew in the Somali National Army’s U.S.-trained Danab Special Forces, Jubaland regional units and unspecified international partners, according to the ministry.
In a statement, the ministry said the Al-Qaeda-linked group mounted a “suicide-style attack,” triggering direct combat that inflicted “significant losses” on the insurgents. It said fleeing fighters abandoned military vehicles and a cache of weapons that were seized by government troops.
“Security in Kudhaa and its surrounding areas is now fully under the control of the Somali National Army,” the statement said, adding that forces remain on “full alert” to conduct stabilization operations and deter any residual threats.
The ministry did not immediately detail any casualties among Somali or allied forces, and the death toll for the militants could not be independently verified. Al-Shabaab frequently disputes official accounts of battlefield losses.
The defense of Kudhaa marks a notable tactical win for Danab, the elite commando unit that has spearheaded Somalia’s counterinsurgency in coordination with regional forces. Officials praised the “bravery and coordination” of the participating units and said offensive operations will continue until “lasting peace and stability” are achieved across the country.
International support often includes intelligence and air cover from partners such as U.S. Africa Command and African Union forces. While Thursday’s announcement did not identify specific contributors, regional media reports indicated aerial support played a role in overwhelming the militants during the fight for Kudhaa.
Al-Shabaab has intensified pressure on military outposts and urban centers in recent years, aiming to disrupt government authority and reclaim territory. The Lower Juba region remains a critical theater in that campaign, given its proximity to Kismayo and the presence of Jubaland security forces aligned with Mogadishu.
Thursday’s account of the battle underscored the Somali government’s strategy of coordinated operations that pair elite units like Danab with regional troops and external partners. Authorities said follow-on measures are underway to secure Kudhaa, sweep for explosives, and restore routine movement along local routes in and out of the town.
Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with security forces as stabilization progresses. No timeline was given for the completion of post-operation clearing, and the ministry did not disclose the quantity of weapons or vehicles recovered.
The confrontation in Kudhaa follows a pattern of Al-Shabaab attempting large-scale assaults to test defenses and draw security forces into attritional fights. Somali officials said the latest repulse demonstrated improved coordination and readiness among government and regional units, but cautioned that militant cells remain capable of sporadic attacks across the south and center of the country.
“We will sustain pressure on the enemy and secure liberated areas,” the ministry said, reiterating its pledge to continue joint operations until militant capacity is degraded and normal governance can return.
Reporting from Mogadishu. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
