Lower Shabelle, Somalia – The Commander of the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) Land Forces, Brigadier General Sahal Abdullahi Omar, traveled to Awdheegle in Lower Shabelle on Sunday, marking his first visit since government forces wrested the strategic town from Al-Shabaab control.
Awdheegle, long considered a key militant stronghold, was recently recaptured under Operation Silent Storm—a joint offensive led by Somali troops with support from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF). The operation has seen a string of gains in southern Somalia as the government moves to widen its control and dismantle the remnants of the insurgent network.
Walking through streets still bearing the marks of past battles, Brig. Gen. Sahal praised the courage of the soldiers who led the offensive, saying their resilience had shifted momentum firmly in favour of government forces. He also recognised the role of UPDF partners, underscoring the importance of regional cooperation in dismantling cross-border threats.
Beyond inspecting frontline positions, the commander’s focus was firmly on what comes next. He held talks with community elders, women representatives and local administrators, assuring them that stabilisation efforts would follow swiftly. Discussions centred on reopening schools and health centres, facilitating the return of displaced families, and establishing permanent security structures to prevent militants from regrouping.
“We have defeated the enemy militarily, but our next battle is to restore confidence and rebuild lives,” one accompanying official said after the meeting.
Residents who had fled during years of occupation are now watching closely, hopeful but cautious. As soldiers patrolled alongside local police recruits, some shopkeepers began clearing debris from their former stalls—a small but symbolic sign of life returning.
For Brig. Gen. Sahal, the message was clear: Awdheegle is not just liberated—it must be allowed to heal.