Somalia: Jubaland forces close in on Jamaame as 16-year al-Shabaab grip falters
JAMAME, Somalia — Jubaland regional forces, backed by the Somali National Army’s Danab commandos, have advanced on Jamaame in Lower Jubba, tightening pressure on al-Shabaab and opening corridors for civilians after days of coordinated operations outside Kismayo, according to security officials.
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Officials and security sources said troops have pushed through a string of settlements surrounding the town — including Araare, Muusa Xaaji, Koban and Bangeeni — establishing safe routes for aid and deploying police and humanitarian teams to stabilize cleared areas. With air support from international partners, forces also seized the Koban Valley, about 45 kilometers from a key al-Shabaab stronghold, the sources said.
The gains mark one of the most significant advances in months against the insurgent group in southern Somalia. Officials said the push has weakened militant defenses around Jamaame, a long-held hub for planning and staging attacks across the region.
Residents told local media that al-Shabaab fighters have withdrawn toward Jilib, leaving Jamaame largely under the influence of Jubaland authorities. The movement, if sustained, would further erode the group’s control after what officials described as 16 years of dominance in the town.
Jilib, which al-Shabaab has used for years as a primary base, remains a central target for Somali and regional security forces. The U.S. Africa Command has supported operations in southern Somalia with periodic airstrikes, while partners have provided reconnaissance and logistical assistance, officials said.
Military commanders involved in the push framed the advances as part of a broader campaign to degrade al-Shabaab’s reach across Lower Jubba and secure population centers. By pairing ground operations with rapid deployment of police and humanitarian teams, authorities said they aim to prevent militant returns, restore local administration and protect civilians who have been caught between front lines.
The operations come after a recent uptick in activity across southern Somalia, where Somali forces and allied regional units have sought to consolidate territory ahead of further moves on key al-Shabaab redoubts. The latest actions, officials said, are intended to set conditions for a more sustained presence and to reopen commercial and humanitarian routes that militants have long disrupted.
Jubaland and SNA Danab units were “poised to capture Jamaame,” according to officials, who characterized the offensive as a potential turning point in Lower Jubba. While fighting has eased in the immediate vicinity of the town, commanders cautioned that militants could regroup in rural areas or attempt asymmetric attacks as pressure mounts near Jilib.
Somali authorities have urged residents to cooperate with security forces and report improvised explosive devices or suspected militant activity. Aid groups, meanwhile, are assessing needs in newly accessible villages and preparing to scale up services if security allows.
The government’s next steps are likely to focus on securing supply lines, strengthening local administration and maintaining momentum to prevent a reversal. For communities along the corridor between Kismayo and Jamaame, the priority remains safety and access — both of which officials insist will improve as more ground is held and stabilized.
As of late this week, officials and residents described Jamaame as increasingly within government reach, though full control has not been formally declared. The coming days will test whether the latest advances can be consolidated into lasting gains against al-Shabaab’s entrenched networks in southern Somalia.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
