Mogadishu–Baidoa Road Reopens After Military Gains

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The federal government of Somalia has said it has fully secured and reopened the strategic road linking Mogadishu and Baidoa, marking a significant breakthrough in ongoing military operations.

According to the defense minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, the Somali National Army cleared the route earlier this week after dislodging militant fighters from key positions, restoring a vital corridor for civilian movement and trade between the capital and the Bay region.

“The road is now safe for civilian movement, restoring vital connectivity between the capital and the Bay region,” he said in an interview with national television.

Fiqi added that the operation has improved security and mobility in central and southern Somalia, enabling safer transport of goods and people while reinforcing government presence in previously contested areas.

The minister added that the army’s improved coordination and combat readiness are allowing for more precise offensives, including recent preemptive strikes and a surprise attack on a militant stronghold in Jilib, in the Middle Juba region.

He said forces are now preparing to expand operations from Barawe toward Jilib as part of a broader strategy to extend state control and sustain pressure on militant groups.

The federal government has described the reopening of the road as a key step toward stabilizing the region, boosting economic activity, and strengthening the government’s hold over critical infrastructure.