Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) has held talks with Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr., Commander of Special Operations for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and other senior U.S. military officials on strengthening security cooperation and intensifying operations against Al-Shabaab in Jubaland.

According to Jubaland’s presidency, the meeting focused on expanding coordination between Jubaland security forces and AFRICOM, particularly efforts to recover areas still controlled by Al-Shabaab.

The talks come as military operations in southern Somalia have intensified, with Somali and Jubaland forces advancing toward areas around Jilib, a key Al-Shabaab stronghold in the Middle Juba region.

Ahmed Madobe was accompanied by Jubaland Intelligence and Security Agency Director Mohamed Ahmed Sabriye, while the U.S. delegation included Maj. Gen. Tudor and other AFRICOM officials.

The discussions underscore the continued U.S. role in supporting Somali-led counterterrorism operations through military coordination, intelligence and operational assistance.