Heavy fighting erupted overnight in the strategic town of Janale in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region after Al-Shabaab militants launched an attack on military positions occupied by the Somali National Army (SNA) and Ugandan troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Residents reported hearing sustained gunfire and a series of powerful explosions throughout the night as fierce clashes unfolded around the military installations, triggering panic among civilians in the town and surrounding communities. The fighting reportedly continued for several hours before the situation gradually subsided.
There has been no official confirmation of casualties or the extent of the damage caused by the assault. Military authorities are still assessing the situation, and independent verification of losses on either side remains unavailable.
Janale is regarded as one of the most strategically important towns in Lower Shabelle due to its location along key supply and transportation routes linking Mogadishu with several southern regions. Control of the town has long been considered vital for military operations and the movement of humanitarian and commercial goods.
The town has witnessed repeated clashes over the years between Somali government forces, African Union peacekeepers, and Al-Shabaab.
The militant group has previously carried out complex assaults, mortar attacks, roadside bombings, and suicide operations targeting military bases in and around Janale, underscoring its continued ability to launch coordinated attacks despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.
The latest attack comes as Somali security forces, supported by AUSSOM troops and international partners, continue military offensives aimed at weakening Al-Shabaab’s presence across southern and central Somalia.
Although government forces have reclaimed several areas in recent operations, the group continues to demonstrate the capability to mount large-scale attacks against military positions.
As of publication, neither the Federal Government of Somalia nor the Ugandan military command had issued an official statement regarding the overnight assault. Security assessments and follow-up operations were reportedly underway to establish the full circumstances of the attack and restore stability in the area.