The Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF) successfully captured Sabid and Anole villages in the Lower Shabelle region from Al-Shabaab militants on Saturday, military officials confirmed.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Silent Storm,” aimed to disrupt the group’s financing networks and cut off their control over key agricultural hubs.
Sabid and Anole, located in one of Somalia’s most fertile agricultural belts, had long been exploited by Al-Shabaab to extort money from local farmers and pastoralists.
According to the military, these villages provided a significant income stream for the militants, who routinely imposed illegal taxes on agricultural produce and livestock.
In a desperate bid to slow the advance of Somali troops, Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly deliberately flooded surrounding farmland and destroyed the Barire bridge—a key transit point in the region.
These tactics were aimed at creating impassable routes for the advancing troops and denying them strategic crossings. However, despite these efforts, the Somali army pressed ahead.
A senior military official involved in the operation noted that the capture of these villages is a major blow to Al-Shabaab’s finances.
“This is part of our commitment to liberating the country from terrorists and ensuring that local communities can farm and trade freely without fear,” the official said.
As the army secures the area, operations continue in nearby villages to consolidate gains and prevent a regrouping of the militants.
Local residents have welcomed the Somali troops and expressed relief at the removal of Al-Shabaab from their lands.
The successful operation is part of a broader offensive across the Lower Shabelle region as the Somali government intensifies its campaign to eradicate extremist control in key economic and agricultural centers of the country.