Al-Shabaab militants have launched a renewed offensive in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, capturing the strategic town of Masajid Ali Gadud in a brazen assault marked by a suicide vehicle-borne explosive device (SVBIED) and heavy fighting. The attack, which overwhelmed local defenses due to the absence of Somali National Army (SNA) reinforcements, exposed vulnerabilities in the government’s security strategy and emboldened the group’s territorial ambitions.
In a parallel development, Somali forces reportedly withdrew from Nur Dugle and Adan Lahey, repositioning to Wargaadhi in what officials framed as a tactical realignment. However, the retreat has sparked concerns over the erosion of government control in rural areas, where Al-Shabaab has capitalized on security gaps to consolidate its hold.