Somali and Ugandan forces launch major offensive against al-Shabaab
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense has announced a major joint military operation with the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) targeting al-Shabaab militants in southern Somalia.
The offensive, dubbed “Operation Silent Storm,” began on Saturday afternoon in the town of Awdheegle, a key al-Shabaab stronghold in the country’s south. According to the ministry, the goal is to expel the militants from their remaining bases used to plan and stage deadly attacks.
Ugandan military officials said the operation aims to dismantle the group’s last hideouts in the Shabelle River valley. “We are working closely with our Somali counterparts to clear al-Shabaab from all remaining areas,” said a UPDF commander, adding that the fighters have started retreating into smaller villages south of the river.
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Ugandan troops have been deployed in Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which seeks to eliminate al-Shabaab and restore lasting stability in Somalia and the wider region. Since their first deployment in 2007, UPDF forces have played a central role in liberating several key cities including Mogadishu, Afgooye, Marka, and Janaale, helping to reestablish civilian governance and reopen trade routes.
The Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) confirmed that the operation is still ongoing and that full details will be released once it concludes.
The offensive comes days after al-Shabaab launched a major attack on a prison in Mogadishu, attempting to free Muslim inmates. Somali authorities said the plan was thwarted before it could succeed.
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State media reported that the attackers used vehicles painted to resemble intelligence service cars and wore army-like uniforms, which helped them bypass several security checkpoints undetected, according to the Ministry of Internal Security.
Al-Shabaab, formally known as Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, is an al-Qaeda-linked militant group founded in 2006. The group continues to operate from its main base in Jilib, in southern Somalia, and remains one of the most persistent threats to regional peace and security.
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