Lower Shabelle (KAAB TV) – In a decisive military operation launched early this morning, the Somali National Defense Force (SNDF), in close coordination with the African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), particularly Ugandan peacekeeping contingents, successfully liberated key areas in the Awdheegle district of Lower Shabelle region from Al-Shabaab control.
The joint offensive targeted militant hideouts in the villages of Shaamgare and Raqayle, both of which had been covertly occupied and used as operational bases by Al-Shabaab insurgents.
According to military sources, the extremist group had entrenched itself in the area, using natural terrain features, including caves and thick vegetation, to conceal their presence and evade detection.
The operation commenced at dawn and was executed with precision and coordination between ground troops and supporting units. Following a brief but intense firefight, government forces overwhelmed the insurgents, effectively dislodging them from their positions.
Military commanders on the ground confirmed that significant losses were inflicted on Al-Shabaab fighters during the clashes. Many of the insurgents were either neutralized or forced to flee, abandoning weapons and supplies as they retreated.
The Somali Army also reported that a number of militants were flushed out from concealed locations, including underground hideouts and cave systems.
Remarkably, the operation was conducted without any casualties among the Somali National Army or AUSSOM peacekeepers, a testament to the strategic planning and effective execution of the mission.
Colonel Ahmed Yusuf, one of the commanding officers in charge of the operation, spoke to KAAB TV following the victory:
“Today’s success in Shaamgare and Raqayle is a continuation of our commitment to uproot Al-Shabaab from all parts of Somalia. Our soldiers demonstrated bravery and discipline, and we are proud to see these areas returned to government control.”
Local sources also expressed relief and support for the military presence, noting that the liberation of these villages restores a sense of safety for civilians who had been living under fear and intimidation by the militants.
This operation marks another step forward in the ongoing national campaign to eradicate Al-Shabaab from southern Somalia and restore peace and stability in regions long affected by insurgent activities.
Authorities confirmed that stabilization teams would soon be deployed to assess local needs and assist in restoring basic services and governance structures in the newly liberated villages.
As military operations continue across the region, Somali and African Union officials reaffirmed their joint commitment to defeating terrorism and supporting Somalia’s path toward long-term peace and reconstruction.