Somali Army Targets Al-Shabab Hideouts in Middle Shabelle

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s army says it has carried out a security operation against Al-Shabab militants in Sumadaale, in the Cadale district of Middle Shabelle region.

The military said its forces targeted hideouts used by the group and forced fighters from their positions.

It said troops were pursuing militants who fled the area, including commanders and other fighters.

The operation is part of continuing military efforts to weaken Al-Shabab’s presence in central Somalia, where the group remains active in rural areas despite repeated government offensives.

Middle Shabelle is strategically important because of its proximity to the capital, Mogadishu, and its links to other parts of central Somalia. Al-Shabab has previously used rural areas in the region as bases from which to launch attacks and exert pressure on communities and transport routes.

The Somali government has been trying to expand its control beyond major towns as part of a broader campaign against the militant group.

But the conflict remains difficult for the government, with Al-Shabab still capable of carrying out attacks and operating in areas outside direct government control.

The latest operation also comes as Somalia continues to assume greater responsibility for its security following years of reliance on international military and logistical support.

African Union forces remain involved in supporting Somali security operations, while international partners continue to provide varying levels of assistance.

The success of military operations in the region is likely to depend not only on removing militants from their positions but also on whether government forces can maintain security and provide basic services after the fighting ends.

Al-Shabab has been fighting the Somali government for more than 15 years and remains the country’s most serious security threat.