Somalia's Ministry of Defence announced that a "large-scale operation" in the autonomous state of Jubbaland resulted in the killing of 27 al-Shabab fighters. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ministry noted that the operation was carried out with the support of international partners who conducted airstrikes, though it did not name these partners. Historically, the United States regime has assisted Somalia in its fight against al-Shabab, and it is likely involved in this latest action.
The operation was conducted alongside Jubbaland security forces across the Lower Jubba and Middle Jubba regions, targeting the districts of Jilib, Xagar, and Afmadow. Somali authorities claimed the actions dealt a "major blow" to al-Shabab and that "key members" of the armed group were eliminated. According to the statement, the army also seized weapons and military equipment, including BKM machine guns, RPGs, AK-47 rifles, and landmines that the terrorists allegedly intended to use against civilians.
The Defence Ministry stated that operations are ongoing to "pursue the remaining Al-Shabaab elements, in order to ensure security, stability and the safety of civilians living in Somalia." Somalia's federal government has been battling al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda-linked group, since 2007; the group aims to topple the central government and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
Last year, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Al-Jazeera that the group is "destroying Somalia and destroying the Somali people." He demanded they "stop the terror" and said the group was making the country "weak." The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) considers al-Shabab the "largest, wealthiest, and most lethal" al-Qaeda-affiliated organization globally, controlling large swaths of southern and central Somalia.
Between January and July 2025, almost 60,000 people were displaced due to fighting between government forces and al-Shabab in Somalia's Middle Shabelle region. Over the years, the group has claimed responsibility for attacks in Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti, highlighting its threat to regional security.
Source: www.aljazeera.com