Lower Shabelle, Somalia – Lower Shabelle Governor Ibrahim Aden Najah has paid a visit to Bariire, the strategic town recently liberated from Al-Shabaab by Somali National Army (SNA) forces in cooperation with African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) troops.
The town, located southwest of Mogadishu, was retaken on 8 August after a coordinated offensive that dismantled entrenched Al-Shabaab defenses. Governor Najah commended the bravery of the joint forces, praising their success in reclaiming one of the region’s most contested strongholds.
Speaking during his visit, the Governor emphasized that the liberation of Bariire marked not only a military achievement but also an important step in restoring civilian life and government authority across Lower Shabelle. He acknowledged the extensive damage inflicted on the town’s infrastructure during years of militant control, particularly the destruction of the bridge that links Bariire with surrounding communities.
Najah pledged close collaboration with federal authorities, international partners, and humanitarian agencies to ensure the swift repair of the bridge, which serves as a vital economic and security lifeline for farmers, traders, and residents in the region.
“The people of Bariire have suffered long enough. Restoring essential infrastructure will be our top priority so that residents can access markets, services, and humanitarian aid without hindrance,” he stated.
The liberation of Bariire is seen as a significant milestone in the ongoing military campaign aimed at weakening Al-Shabaab’s grip on rural strongholds in southern Somalia. Security analysts note that the town’s recovery could pave the way for further stabilization efforts in Lower Shabelle, a region long regarded as the militant group’s financial and logistical hub.
