An operation to put pressure on the militant group Al-Shabab is being led by the Danab Commandos, a specially trained counterterrorism unit, along with the 11th brigade and the 43rd Division of the Somali National Army, and Jubaland Dervish troops. The operation is currently taking place in the Afmadow district of the Lower Jubba region. According to sources close to the troops, they are advancing towards Hagar district, where the most intense operations are currently underway between Afmadow and Hagar. The Military Command of the 43rd Division of the Somali National Army has stated that the operations involve both ground and air assaults in areas such as Qumbi, Weel-Maarow, Caano-Booro, and Farshabeel. They have also reported carrying out operations in Guduudey, Bilisa and Hargeisa Yarey in the Middle Jubba region. Photos posted on the Facebook account of the Military Command specifically show the Somali troops driving out Al-Shabaab fighters from their defense positions in the Haud area. Weel-Maarow, where the Military Command reported carrying out operations, is a strategically important area for the security of Jilib district and is one of the outposts where Al-Shabab fighters protect the security of Jilib. Weel-Maarow is located between Afmadow and Jilib, with a road leading to Hagar from Afmadow. If the Somali troops are able to fully take control of Hagar district in the Lower Jubba region, it will put pressure on Al-Shabab’s presence in Bu’ale town, the provincial capital of the Middle Jubba region. Hagar is located in a strategic area between Afmadow and Bu’ale and has been under Al-Shabab control since 2007. In 2023, the Somali troops successfully took control of Hagar district, but later withdrew. The Somali Military and Jubaland Dervish troops have not directly stated that they are on their way to Hagar, but it is based on their resilience and the administration’s commitment to achieving the objectives of the war against Al-Shabab. These operations are being led from Janaay Abdalle, located between Kismayo and Afmadow, where Jubaland’s Security Minister, General Yusuf Hussein Osman (known as Dhuumaal), Jubaland Dervish troops Commander, General Ismail Sahardiid Keydsane, and the Commander of the 43rd Division of the Somali National Army, Colonel Nuur Mahad Hassan, are present.
