In a military operation carried out by Jubbaland security forces in Janaay Abdalla village near Kismayo on Tuesday, at least ten Al-Shabaab militants were killed.
Military sources reported that Jubbaland’s Darawish forces launched a preemptive strike against Al-Shabaab fighters who were allegedly preparing an attack in the region. The militants were believed to be planning a counteroffensive to reclaim Janaay Abdalla, an area liberated by government forces earlier.
A security officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “During the operation, we successfully neutralized close to 10 militants and injured several others.”
Janaay Abdalla is strategically important for defending Kismayo, the capital of Jubbaland, and is located in the volatile Lower Juba region. Al-Shabaab has frequently targeted this area in an effort to regain control.
This operation is one of many recent efforts by Somali forces to combat Al-Shabaab insurgency across the country. Similar military actions have taken place, including an operation in central Somalia in August, where Somali National Army (SNA) forces, in coordination with local militias and international partners, killed at least 30 Al-Shabaab fighters in the Galgaduud region. This operation targeted militants trying to regroup and establish new bases after suffering significant territorial losses.
Additionally, in July, government forces launched an offensive near the town of Awdheegle in Lower Shabelle, killing more than 40 Al-Shabaab militants. The success of these operations, supported by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and U.S. airstrikes, has contributed to the weakening of Al-Shabaab’s hold on key regions.
Despite these setbacks, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a threat, conducting guerrilla-style attacks and attempting to reclaim areas lost to government forces and their allies. However, the Somali government remains determined to eliminate the group’s influence, and this latest victory in Janaay Abdalla is another step toward stabilizing the country.