Somali Army Says Seven Al-Shabaab Militants Killed as New Offensive Begins in South West State

GOOBJOOG NEWS|LOWER SHABELLE: At least seven Al-Shabaab militants have been killed and several others wounded in a military operation in Somalia’s South West State, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday, as government forces launched a new offensive targeting the militant group.

The ministry said Somali National Army (SNA) troops, particularly the elite Danab commandos, carried out a planned operation on the outskirts of Leego in Bay region, where they encountered Al-Shabaab fighters attempting to block their advance.

According to the ministry, seven militants were killed during the confrontation, while an unspecified number sustained injuries. Government troops also seized an assortment of weapons from the fighters.

The casualties and weapons seizures could not be independently verified.

The operation marked the launch of a new military campaign, codenamed Operation Banooda, aimed at dislodging Al-Shabaab fighters from areas of South West State where the group maintains a presence.

The Defence Ministry said troops were continuing to pursue militants who fled the area following the confrontation, suggesting that further operations could follow as the campaign expands.

South West State remains a significant battleground in Somalia’s prolonged conflict with Al-Shabaab, which has maintained a presence in rural areas and used its networks to launch attacks against government forces, civilian targets and key transport routes.

Leego and its surrounding areas are strategically important because of their proximity to routes connecting Mogadishu with parts of South West State, including the regional capital, Baidoa. Al-Shabaab’s activities along these corridors have historically disrupted civilian movement, commercial transport and military supply operations.

The latest offensive comes amid continuing efforts by Somali government forces to weaken Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and extend state authority into territories where the group retains influence.

The Ministry of Defence praised the troops involved in Saturday’s operation, describing the initial engagement as a significant achievement in the newly launched campaign.