The Somali Federal Gov’t said that senior Al-shabab fighters were killed in an operation that was specially planned and took place in Middle Shabelle province. The Ministry of Information issued a press release last night and revealed that the operation was conducted by the Somali National Army (SNA) in conjunction with Int’l partners.
The operation was conducted in Buurta Adayga which lies in El-Baraf and were killed 13 Al-Shabab fighters including senior leaders.
The Press statement went on to say that scores of Al-Shabab fighters were wounded in the airstrike. The statement disclosed that the airstrike targeted an area that Al-shabab fighters were regrouping. The statement further stated that they were plotting attacks against the Somali populace. It is reported that a cache of weapons were also destroyed in the airstrike.
Al-Shabab brought new fighters in the outskirts of El-Baraf settlement last week who originated from the Lower Shabelle province and crossed from the road that goes in the Haud area in the West of El-Baraf. The road links Middle Shabelle province to provinces in the South.
Al-shabab commenced troop movements some of the provinces in the East of Middle Shabelle in order to prevent the large scale operations which are aimed to drive out Al-shabab from the settlements in the East that the group captured at the beginning of this year.
Al-shabab reinforcements that originated from the provinces in the South reached Al-kawsar district and other settlements. Al-Shabab fighters were seen in War Isse settlement which is under Jawhar town. War Isse settlement lies in between Jawhar and Biyo Adde settlement which is 40 km away from Jawhar town. It is strategic settlement which links Jawhar town and Raage Elle settlement.
There are other reports which indicate that the militant group of Al-shabab commenced movement of troops in the settlements of Eel Gub, Masaajid Ali Guduud and in the outskirts of Labi Goley settlement which lies 13 km North of Wargaadhi settlement which is under Adale district- the Somali National Army (SNA) have a military base in Wargaadhi settlement.
Al-Shabab’s plan is to thwart the Somali Gov’t attempts to push the militant away from Raage Elle settlement and Adale district which lie in the coast of Middle Shabelle province and to liberate from Adan Yabaal district. Those Al-shabab fighters who reached in Al-kawsar also arrived in Adan Yabaal district and Tawakal settlement, and started movement of troops there.
The Somali Military Command is planning to launch large scale operations which are aimed to liberate Adan Yabaal district in which the militant group of Al-Shabab took control on 16th April, 2025. The press statement from the ministry of information further stated that in conjunction with the brave Somali populace and the int’l Partners is committed to eradicate the terrorist groups, and to restore the security in the country in order the Somali populace to live in peace and security.
The movement of troops from both sides which is underway in Middle Shabelle province will make the region a battle field.
The Somali Gov’t is determined to liberate all settlements under the control of the militant group of Al-Shabab while the militant group is trying to keep the areas under their control.
The Somali gov’t in conjunction with int’l partners conducted the largest airstrikes in Middle Shabelle province while Ethiopian war planes carried outskirts airstrikes in Middle Shabelle province on 4th March, 2025, and targeted Al-Shabab fighters who were regrouping in the outskirts of Daaru Nimo settlement. Airstrikes were conducted targeting Al-Shabab fighters in the outskirts of Daaru Nimo settlement on numerous occasions.
