Afgoye, Southwest – In a daring operation, Somali National Army (SNA) troops have successfully freed more than 30 civilians held captive by Al-Shabaab militants in Buula Madiina, a rural area in Afgoye, Lower Shabelle. Among those rescued were two women who had been confined in makeshift holding facilities.
The raid struck a heavy blow to the militants, with three Al-Shabaab guards neutralized and a temporary detention center, along with an irregular court used to intimidate locals, completely dismantled. While officials praised the mission’s success, they withheld details about the rescued individuals to safeguard ongoing security efforts.
The Defense Ministry confirmed that all those freed are now undergoing medical evaluations and security screenings. The length of their captivity and any injuries remain undisclosed. Al-Shabaab has not commented on the incident.
This operation marks a significant disruption to the group’s tactic of holding civilians for ransom—a practice that has reportedly declined in recent months. Somali authorities are continuing to work closely with regional partners to target Al-Shabaab’s networks and protect vulnerable communities.