Lower Shabelle (Kaab TV) – The Somali National Army launched coordinated operations today in Janale, Lower Shabelle, to weaken Al-Shabaab’s presence in southern Somalia.
The operation was spearheaded by elite units of the Somali Armed Forces — specifically, the 144th and 145th battalions under the command of the October 14th Brigade.
The mission targeted key Al-Shabaab positions believed to be disrupting civilian life, particularly the livelihoods of farmers residing along the fertile banks of the Shabelle River.
According to military officials, the SNA’s offensives focused on the villages of Malable, Beeraha Bay, Sigaale Bari, and Doonkaa Daafedow.
All of these villages lie within the Janale jurisdiction and have reportedly been used by Al-Shabaab as strategic points for movement and harassment of local communities.
Major General Abdirahim Mohamed Munye, commander of the October 14th Brigade, personally led and oversaw the operations.
In a press briefing following the successful campaign, General Munye confirmed that the military had specifically targeted boats used by Al-Shabaab militants to navigate and cross both sides of the Shabelle River.
“These boats have been essential to Al-Shabaab’s mobility and supply chain in the region,” said General Munye. “By destroying them, we have significantly disrupted their ability to launch attacks, transport weapons, and evade security forces across the river.”
The general emphasized that the militants have been using these river routes to terrorize and extort farmers in the area, making agricultural work along the Shabelle River increasingly dangerous.
He also confirmed that the boats were located and neutralized during precision strikes carried out earlier this morning.
“This is just the beginning,” General Munye added. “We will continue our operations until these terrorists are completely removed from Lower Shabelle and all areas under threat.”
The Somali National Army, in collaboration with local authorities and international partners, has been intensifying its anti-terror operations in recent months, especially in regions where Al-Shabaab still maintains influence.
These operations are part of a broader national campaign to restore peace, security, and government control across Somalia’s southern and central regions.
Residents in the Janale area have reportedly expressed relief and support for the army’s actions, welcoming the move as a critical step toward reclaiming their communities from extremist control.
Security analysts note that control of the riverine areas in Lower Shabelle is strategically significant. Al-Shabaab’s loss of mobility in the region may mark a turning point in the ongoing effort to weaken the group’s rural strongholds.
The Somali government has reiterated its commitment to eliminating Al-Shabaab and securing sustainable peace across the country through continued military pressure, stabilization programs, and community engagement.