Somali Army Counters Terrorist Attack by Al-Shabaab Militias

Frame grab from video shoot Wednesday, March 12, 2025, showing Somali armed forces on patrol outside where a car bomb exploded Tuesday at a hotel in the central Somali city of Beledweyne, kicking off an hourslong militant attack that killed an unknown number of people. (AP)

The Somali National Army, on Saturday, said it countered a terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab militias in Awdheegle District of Lower Shabelle and the Buursha Sheekh area of Middle Shabelle.
A statement released by the Somali military and carried by the country’s news agency, SONNA, said the Army delivered a significant blow to Al-Shabaab militants attempting to attack their positions.
The army countered an attack in Awdheegle District of Lower Shabelle and the Buursha Sheekh area of Middle Shabelle, where the militants suffered substantial losses, the statement said.
In a separate operation last night, the statement said the National Forces raided a gathering of Al-Shabaab militants in the Labada Garas area of Middle Shabelle.
It said the forces successfully eliminated all fighters present at the site.
“The National Forces continue to intensify their offensive against the group, aiming to dismantle its remaining strongholds and to clear the rural areas in the south and center of the country,” the statement said.
The attacks in Awdheegle District and the Buursha Sheekh area came a few days after the Army said it successfully killed five prominent Khawarij leaders, in reference to the Al-Shabaab militants.
The leaders were killed while the Army countered a terrorist attack in El Ali Ahmed district in Middle Shabelle in central Somalia.
The army identified the five members of Al-Shabaab militias, which authorities say are waging an insurgency against the Somali government.
In recent weeks, at least 13 soldiers were killed in attacks by Al-Shabaab militia on three military bases in Somalia, according to the military.
On the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, urged Somalis to stand together in support of the government and security forces in their efforts to eradicate terrorism.
“Our country has been invaded by a foreign terrorist ideology that has caused havoc for the past 18 years. Let us stand together and support our government and security forces in their war against terrorism,” he said, according to SONNA.
The President also honored the Somali Armed Forces, who are observing Ramadan while leading the fight to liberate the country from terrorism.