The Jubaland Dervish Forces, in collaboration with Jubaland’s Intelligence and Security Agency, carried out a planned operation on settlements under the jurisdiction of Kudha in the Lower Jubba region on Tuesday. The operation resulted in casualties, including deaths and injuries, and was launched after Jubaland troops received reports of Al-Shabab members regrouping in the area. Sources within the region reported that the operation took place early in the morning after intelligence indicated movement by Al-Shabab members. Jubaland officers, who spoke about the operation, stated that their troops successfully reached their targets and inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabab. They also mentioned that the operation lasted several hours and destroyed Al-Shabab bases in the settlements. Additionally, Jubaland officers reported that weapons and military equipment belonging to Al-Shabab were seized during the operation. The official number of casualties has not been publicly announced yet. Locals told the media that they could hear heavy gunfire and explosions from the areas where the operation was launched. Jubaland security forces have recently increased their operations against Al-Shabab in parts of the Lower Jubba region, specifically in settlements bordering Kenya and those under the authority of Badhaadhe district and Afmadow. In the past, fighting has erupted in Kudha settlement in Badhaadhe district when Al-Shabab fighters attacked a military base manned by Jubaland Dervish forces, resulting in casualties on both sides. Since then, Jubaland security forces have intensified their operations to improve security in the surrounding settlements.
