PM Barre Praises Forces for Repelling Militant Attack in Lower Juba

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has commended the elite Danab special forces and Jubbaland regional troops after they repelled an attempted attack by Islamist militants on the coastal town of Kudhaa in the Lower Juba region.

The prime minister said the joint forces thwarted what he described as a surprise assault aimed at destabilising the area, preventing the attackers from gaining control of the strategic town.

Security officials said the operation involved Somalia’s U.S.-trained Danab commando unit working alongside Jubbaland’s Darwish forces, who responded swiftly to the attack and pushed the militants back before civilians were harmed.

In a statement, Barre praised the troops’ vigilance and coordination, saying the operation reflected growing cooperation between federal and regional security forces. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting frontline units as part of its campaign against al Shabaab, which the government refers to as Kharijites.

“The bravery and professionalism shown by our forces demonstrate the progress made in strengthening national security,” the statement said.

Kudhaa lies along the southern coastline and is regarded by security analysts as strategically important due to its proximity to maritime routes that have previously been used by militants for logistics and supplies.

The defence of the town underscores the federal government’s efforts to secure key economic and logistical centres in Jubbaland as part of a broader offensive against the insurgents in southern Somalia.

Somalia has stepped up military operations in recent months, relying on joint actions by federal and regional forces to regain territory and limit militant movement across coastal and rural areas.