Somali, U.S. forces destroy al-Shabab explosives factory in Middle Juba, kill 18
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali National Army forces, working in coordination with U.S. troops, carried out a planned overnight operation in Middle Juba that destroyed what officials described as al-Shabab’s largest explosives production facility and killed 18 militants, the Defense Ministry said Saturday.
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The strike took place late Friday in the Saakow district and targeted a factory used by the al-Qaida-linked group to manufacture and prepare explosive devices, according to a joint statement from the Ministry of Defense and the Somali National Army Command. Officials said the facility was completely destroyed.
Those killed included engineers and specialists involved in the production of explosives used in attacks against civilians and security forces, the statement said. The ministry described the operation as part of a broader effort to degrade al-Shabab’s capacity to plan and carry out attacks through improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which officials say remain among the group’s most lethal tactics.
The government praised close cooperation with international partners and said coordination with U.S. forces continues to play a critical role in counterterrorism operations across southern and central Somalia. The latest strike, officials said, was designed to disrupt the militant group’s supply chains and deny it a key node for weapons production.
“The Ministry of Defense and the Somali National Army Command reaffirm their commitment to intensifying counterterrorism operations and strengthening efforts to safeguard the safety and security of the public,” the statement said.
Middle Juba, including Saakow, has long served as a stronghold and logistical hub for al-Shabab’s operations. Despite sustained military pressure and territorial losses in recent years, the group continues to exploit rural terrain to manufacture weapons, train fighters and mount attacks against government targets and population centers.
Somalia’s federal government has made the destruction of explosives facilities a priority as part of a campaign to dismantle al-Shabab’s infrastructure. Officials argue that degrading the group’s ability to source components, assemble devices and move them across insurgent-held areas can reduce the frequency and lethality of bombings, which have exacted a heavy toll on civilians and security forces.
Al-Shabab has waged an insurgency against the Somali state for more than a decade. Somali forces, backed by international partners, have reclaimed territory in parts of the country, but the group remains capable of mounting high-impact operations. Security officials say sustained strikes on weapons workshops, supply depots and command nodes are critical to weakening the group’s ability to regenerate and conduct coordinated attacks.
The ministry said operations in Middle Juba and elsewhere will continue as part of a broader campaign to dismantle al-Shabab’s networks and deny it safe haven. It urged the public to support security forces and report suspicious activity as the offensive progresses.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
