Bariire, Lower Shabelle — The Chief of the Somali National Army (SNA), General Odowa Yusuf Rage, on Thursday toured Bariire, a strategic town in the Lower Shabelle region recently freed from Al-Shabaab control, as government forces press ahead with stabilisation measures to pave the way for displaced residents to return home.
During his visit, General Odowa inspected SNA positions across the town and received detailed briefings from field commanders on the progress of clearance operations, which aim to root out remaining militant threats and secure vital supply routes.
He commended the troops for their resilience and sacrifices, urging them to maintain operational pressure on Al-Shabaab to prevent any resurgence, protect local communities, and consolidate hard-won security gains.
“The fight for Somalia’s stability is far from over. Every step we take here is a step towards lasting peace for our people,” General Odowa told the soldiers, reaffirming the SNA leadership’s commitment to supporting frontline forces.
Bariire’s liberation marks another milestone in the ongoing national offensive against Al-Shabaab, with the SNA working alongside regional forces and international partners to restore government control, strengthen governance, and enable humanitarian access in recovered areas.