Al-Shabaab militants launched a surprise assault on Thursday, temporarily capturing a key military base in Wargaadhi, a highly strategic town in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region. The attack marks another significant gain for the insurgent group, coming just a week after it overran Adan Yabaal, another critical stronghold in the area.
Al-Shabaab fighters stormed the base, engaging in heavy clashes with Somali National Army (SNA) forces before withdrawing after several hours.
Wargaadhi is a crucial defensive position for government forces, serving as a buffer between Al-Shabaab-controlled territories and the capital, Mogadishu. Its fall—even temporarily—raises concerns about the SNA’s ability to hold key locations.
The seizure is part of Al-Shabaab’s 2025 Shabelle offensive, a renewed push to reclaim territory lost in previous government and African Union (AU) operations.
The attack underscores Al-Shabaab’s resilience and ability to strike high-value military targets despite sustained counterterrorism efforts.
Somali officials have vowed to retake the base, but the repeated losses in Middle Shabelle suggest logistical and intelligence gaps in the SNA’s defenses.
If Al-Shabaab consolidates control over Wargaadhi and Adan Yabaal, it could threaten supply routes to Mogadishu and destabilize central Somalia further.
With Al-Shabaab continuing its aggressive campaign, Somali and AU forces may face intensified clashes in the coming weeks. The group’s ability to seize and hold territory—even briefly—signals a dangerous escalation in its war against the Somali government.