Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – The Ministry of Defense of the Federal Government of Somalia has released a detailed statement regarding a planned military operation conducted last night by the Somali National Army (SNA) in the Bulo Madina area, located within Afgoye district in the Lower Shabelle region.
The operation forms part of the government’s broader campaign to weaken and ultimately eliminate Al-Shabaab’s presence in the region.
According to the press release, Somali forces successfully engaged Al-Shabaab militants during the operation, killing three members of the group.
This action targeted individuals responsible for maintaining the group’s hold over the local population and obstructing government security efforts in the area.
A significant achievement of the operation was the rescue of civilians who had been held hostage by Al-Shabaab.
The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the troops freed 30 people, among them two women, who were being unlawfully detained. The freed civilians had reportedly been subjected to harsh conditions under the group’s captivity.
In addition to neutralizing militants and rescuing hostages, the SNA dismantled key Al-Shabaab structures in Bulo Madina.
These included an improvised prison used for detaining civilians and an illegal “court” through which the group imposed its own rulings and coercive practices on the local community. The destruction of these facilities represents a strategic effort to disrupt the group’s administrative and coercive mechanisms.
The Ministry emphasized that this operation is part of an ongoing national offensive aimed at liberating areas under Al-Shabaab influence and restoring government authority.
Recent operations in Lower Shabelle and other regions reflect the federal government’s commitment to improving security, protecting civilians, and re-establishing stability throughout the country.
