Baraawe, Somalia – In a decisive military operation early Sunday morning, Somali National Army (SNA) forces launched a fierce assault on Al-Shabaab hideouts located approximately 40 kilometers from the port city of Baraawe, in the Lower Shabelle region.
The military described the operation as a “ruthless crackdown,” claiming multiple militant camps were destroyed and insurgents “chased out like rats.”
According to military sources, the operation targeted a network of Al-Shabaab camps that had been used to coordinate attacks across southern Somalia.
“Our troops moved in swiftly and neutralized the threat,” said a senior army commander. “We flattened their hideouts and reclaimed territory without significant casualties on our side.”
Residents in nearby villages reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions as army units swept through the area. Helicopters were seen circling above during the early stages of the raid, while ground troops engaged in close combat with fleeing militants.
The operation is part of an ongoing campaign by the federal government to degrade Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and disrupt its presence in rural strongholds.
The group, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has continued to stage deadly attacks on civilians, government institutions, and security forces despite sustained counterinsurgency efforts.
Defense officials have vowed to maintain pressure on remaining insurgent elements in the region, promising further operations in the coming days.
The Somali government has called the assault a “turning point” in the fight to secure the southern corridor and restore stability in the region.
More updates will follow as the situation develops.