Latest developments
Somalia’s military said it has seized new ground from Al-Shabaab in coordinated operations across Lower Jubba and Bakool, underscoring a stepped-up campaign in the south and center of the country. In Jamaame, Lower Jubba, security forces reported a significant blow to the militants over the weekend. In Bakool, troops overran an Al-Shabaab camp in the Moora-Gaabeey area, about 37 kilometers from Xuddur.
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- In Jamaame, the army says close to 60 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in an operation backed by U.S. Africa Command and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
- In Moora-Gaabeey, at least three militants were killed and more than 10 wounded, according to military officials.
- The Somali National Army (SNA) reported recovering strategic positions in both regions as part of ongoing offensives.
Operational details
The raid in Bakool was carried out by the SNA’s 9th Battalion under the 60th Division, which also seized weapons, ammunition, and other equipment from the site. Commanders described the strike as “successful” and said it was aimed at degrading the group’s ability to operate in rural strongholds.
- Military units reported capturing materiel used by Al-Shabaab during the Bakool raid.
- Colonel Mohamed Yariis Adan, commander of the 60th Division, said the operations are part of efforts to improve civilian security in Bakool.
- The actions build on momentum from recent advances in Jamaame, a longtime Al-Shabaab area of activity.
Regional context and support
The Jamaame operation was conducted with support from U.S. Africa Command and AUSSOM, reflecting continued international backing for Somalia’s security forces. Authorities say sustained operations and a stronger military footprint in central and southern regions have slowed Al-Shabaab’s ability to maneuver.
- Al-Shabaab, which seeks to topple Somalia’s UN-backed federal government, retains the capacity to strike despite territorial losses.
- Somalia’s government projects that the militants can be defeated by the end of 2026 if pressure is maintained.
- International partners remain engaged in training, advising, and enabling operations alongside Somali forces.
Why it matters
The latest gains in Lower Jubba and Bakool mark incremental but strategic advances for the Somali National Army in areas repeatedly contested by Al-Shabaab. While casualty figures could not be independently verified, the reported outcomes reflect a push to translate battlefield pressure into improved security for local communities.
- Securing rural corridors around towns like Xuddur is central to stabilizing Bakool and disrupting militant supply lines.
- Losses in Jamaame impose costs on Al-Shabaab in a region critical to their logistics and influence.
- Sustained operations will be key to consolidating gains and preventing militant regrouping.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
