Somali National Army (SNA) forces, backed by local militia fighters repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault in the Sabiib and Canole areas of Lower Shabelle on Monday, killing at least 70 militants, according to government officials.
Ministry of Defense spokesman Sheikh Abukar Mohamed said government troops had been on high alert and successfully foiled the attack on army positions.
“Our forces were well-prepared and responded decisively. We have the bodies of the militants killed in the two operations,” he said.
In a separate operation in the same region, an airstrike targeted Al-Shabaab fighters, killing at least 40 more militants, the spokesman confirmed. The strike was reportedly coordinated with international partners, though the ministry did not disclose further details about the aircraft or foreign involvement.
These developments come as part of a renewed government push to dislodge the al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group from its remaining strongholds in the Shabelle region. The Somali government has escalated military pressure in recent weeks, combining ground assaults with aerial bombardments to weaken Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity.
Since launching its offensive last year, the Somali government has reclaimed territory across Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Lower Shabelle regions. However, Al-Shabaab continues to pose a significant threat, carrying out guerrilla-style attacks in both rural and urban areas.
On Monday, Somali forces successfully recaptured Sabiib and Anole, key districts in Lower Shabelle, from Al-Shabaab. The militant group had seized control of these areas on March 21. Government officials confirmed that these towns have seen repeated clashes, frequently changing hands between the army and the militants.
Additionally, Somali forces, with significant support from Turkish drones, have managed to halt Al-Shabaab’s rapid advances in multiple regions. The use of Turkish UAVs has played a crucial role in neutralizing militant threats and stabilizing contested areas.