Shabelle

Drone strike in Lower Shabelle underscores the moral and strategic dilemmas of remote warfare A reported drone strike this week in Akunji village, in Somalia’s volatile Janaale district of Lower Shabelle, has reopened painful questions about who bears the cost of a campaign fought mostly from the air. Local accounts and media reports say civilians may have been killed; authorities have not confirmed responsibility. The fog that surrounds the incident is familiar in Somalia — and emblematic of a broader global debate over…

Somalia: Three brothers killed on family farm in suspected clan-reprisal attack in Lower Shabelle At least three brothers were shot dead while working their fields in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region on Wednesday, in what local residents described as a clan-reprisal attack. The killings took place in Dudumaaye, an area under the Wanlaweyn district, about two hours by road from Mogadishu. Residents reached by phone said the men were tending their farm when gunmen believed to be from a rival militia opened fire. The victims…

Out in the Open: Somalia’s Displaced Families Wait for Help That Isn’t Coming At first light on the outskirts of Afgoye, the land looks deceptively generous—open sky, a stretch of scrubland, a hint of green beyond the road. Then you notice the mats laid directly on the earth, the improvised shelters of sticks and cloth, and children cupping their hands for sips of water measured out like medicine. This is where hundreds of families displaced by fighting in southern Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region have gathered, waiting for…

Heavy Airstrikes Hit Al-Shabaab on Galgadud–Middle Shabelle Frontier, Casualties Unclear Powerful airstrikes pounded suspected Al-Shabaab positions late Friday along the border between Somalia’s Galgadud and Middle Shabelle regions, flattening militant compounds and sending shockwaves across nearby villages, according to residents who described a night lit by flashes and thunderous detonations. There was no immediate word on casualties, and Somali authorities had not issued a statement by early Saturday. What happened The…

Somali Forces Foil Roadside Bombing in Lower Shabelle: A Triumph in Ongoing Conflict In the sunbaked landscape of Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, the rhythm of daily life was suddenly disrupted this past Saturday. Members of the Somali National Army's 14th October Battalion, led by the vigilant Brig. Gen. Abdirahin Mohamed Munye, safely intercepted a deadly roadside bomb intended to wreak havoc in the district of Janaale. This decisive action reflects the persistent challenges faced in a nation long-scarred by conflict and…

Amid Rising Tensions, U.S. Intensifies Its Air Campaign in Somalia In a remote area of Middle Shabelle, Somalia, a recent U.S. airstrike highlights the ongoing battle against the resilient al-Shabab militant group. The strike, conducted on August 22, targeted the al-Qaida affiliate, aiming to disrupt its activities both domestically and internationally. While details remain sparse due to operational security, this event underscores a broader, escalating campaign led by the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM). Shifting Tactics…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, a landmine explosion claimed the lives of at least four individuals and left two others injured. The explosion targeted a civilian vehicle navigating the path between Afgoye and Wanlaweyn districts, nestled in Somalia's tumultuous Lower Shabelle region. Locals within the Doonka vicinity recounted the harrowing moment when the devastating blast punctuated the peaceful air, striking a vehicle headed toward Afgoye. Swiftly, the injured were transported to a local…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a chilling turn of events, local residents recounted how Al-Shabab fighters executed a brazen ambush on two soldiers from the Southwest state. The attack took place on Tuesday as the soldiers were making their way on a motorcycle journey along the route connecting Wanlaweyn and Afgoye districts, a stretch notorious for its tension, nestled within Somalia’s troubled Lower Shabelle region. It's a ride that many dread for its lurking dangers. Reports from the scene suggest the soldiers were headed from…

Mogadishu (AX) — In an audacious offensive, Somalia's National Security and Intelligence Agency (NISA) unleashed a blistering assault against al-Shabaab, taking down at least 19 of their operatives in the Yaaqle area within Middle Shabelle. They made this announcement on Friday, painting a vivid picture of a strategic victory in their ongoing anti-terrorism campaign. This calculated operation zeroed in on a concealed lair, harboring al-Shabaab fighters plotting under the radar. NISA claims they successfully neutralized key…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a remarkable display of military might, Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) has announced the elimination of 27 al-Shabab insurgents during an extensive 12-hour operation in the Yaaqle region of Middle Shabelle. In a statement issued on Sunday, NISA detailed how this operation zeroed in on al-Shabab militants at a prominent assemblage point, successfully dismantling their vehicles and encampments. Encouragingly, the intelligence agency reported that its own forces suffered no…