Sunday March 2, 2025
FILE - SNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government forces, supported by international partners, carried out airstrikes in Middle Shabelle’s Biyo Cadde area, killing at least 44 Al-Shabaab fighters, including senior commanders, the Ministry of Information confirmed Sunday.
The overnight strikes targeted militants attempting to flee after sustaining heavy losses in ground offensives led by government-aligned local militia forces. Three armed vehicles used by the group were also destroyed, according to the statement.
“At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against Al-Shabaab,” AFRICOM stated. “The command’s initial assessment is that several terrorists and a vehicle were neutralized and that no civilians were injured or killed.”
These strikes come as Al-Shabaab continues to pose a direct threat to Somali and international forces, with AFRICOM emphasizing that the militant group “has proved both its will and capability to attack U.S. and partner forces.”
This latest operation is part of a broader, intensified campaign against Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for over a decade. The group, despite losing key strongholds in recent years, remains a formidable force, carrying out deadly attacks in urban centers and rural areas.
Somali forces, in collaboration with the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), have ramped up counterterrorism efforts, including a series of recent strikes near the town of El-Baraf, where additional militants were killed, and explosives meant for future attacks were destroyed.
Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda affiliate, has demonstrated resilience, often retreating into rural areas to regroup and launch asymmetric attacks. Analysts say that while airstrikes and military offensives have weakened the group, a long-term strategy integrating governance, intelligence coordination, and local alliances will be necessary to dismantle its operational capabilities.
The Somali government has vowed to sustain military pressure on the insurgents, describing these strikes as part of a “decisive phase” in the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab. However, the militants have continued to exploit Somalia’s security gaps, highlighting the complexity of eradicating the group entirely.