U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a series of airstrikes against al Shabaab in the vicinity of Bariire in central Somalia between August 1-8, 2025.The airstrikes were in support of a military ground operation led by partner forces against terrorists in the area.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al Shabaab’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

Our forces have secured Ceelka Carabi in Togga Baalade, uncovering the remains of #ISIS fugitives eliminated in recent airstrikes, along with camels and equipment they had been using. Further details to follow. #Calmiskaad #Puntland #Somalia

These are images from Ceelka Carabi in Togga Balade, in the #Almiskat mountains, which our forces secured today. The troops discovered the remains of #ISIS fugitives killed in recent airstrikes —some partially buried, while others lay scattered across the area. #Puntland #Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia – The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) says over 50 Al Shabab terrorists were killed in a joint military operation with the Somali army in the town of Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region. During the operation, many Al Shabab terrorists sustained serious injuries, according to a statement by the AU mission in Somalia on Sunday. “AUSSOM and SNAF troops are determined to recapture Bariire town and other territories still under Al Shabab control to ensure lasting peace and security for the people of Somalia,” said El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the special representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia, in the statement. The mission also rejected media reports suggesting heavy casualties among its soldiers during the operation. Bariire is a strategic agricultural town located 73 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. Al Shabab, which has been unleashing terror in Somalia for more than 16 years, regularly targets security forces, government officials, and civilians. SOURCE: AA

MOGADISHU, SomaliaOver 100 terrorists were killed and several others captured alive after a week-long military operation against the al-Shabaab group in the Lower Shabelle region, the Somali Defense Ministry said on Friday evening.The Somali National Army (SNA), in collaboration with the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), liberated the strategic town of Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region from al-Shabaab during the operations, according to a Defense Ministry statement.“The forces are now conducting clearance operations in the town and surrounding areas, seizing a significant cache of weapons and military supplies,” the statement said.This comes just days after the Defense Ministry announced that at least 70 al-Shabaab terrorists had been killed by the Somali army and African Union peacekeepers in the area.The military also admitted that two SNA soldiers were killed and 12 others injured during fighting in the same area last Monday.Bariire is a strategic agricultural town situated 73 kilometers (45 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu.Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for over 16 years, regularly targets security forces, government officials, and civilians. Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.

#Joint AUSSOM & Somali National Armed Forces (#SNAF) troops have liberated Bariire town in “Operation Silent Storm”, neutralising more than 100 Al-Shabaab militants, and seizing a substantial cache of munitions in the two-week operation. SRCC and Head of AUSSOM Amb. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene commended the troops for fighting alongside SNAF stabilising Middle Shabelle, while Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma praised the forces for advancing the Somali Transition Plan. Bariire, considered a strategic terrorist hub, is now secure, with ongoing operations to ensure lasting peace & stability in Lower Shabelle. This victory follows the recent recapture of Sabiid and Anole. #AUSSOMInTheSectors

#Joint AUSSOM & Somali National Armed Forces (#SNAF) troops have liberated Bariire town in “Operation Silent Storm”, neutralising more than 100 Al-Shabaab militants, and seizing a substantial cache of munitions in the two-week operation. SRCC and Head of AUSSOM Amb. El Hadji Ibrahima Diene commended the troops for fighting alongside SNAF stabilising Middle Shabelle, while Force Commander Lt. Gen. Sam Kavuma praised the forces for advancing the Somali Transition Plan. Bariire, considered a strategic terrorist hub, is now secure, with ongoing operations to ensure lasting peace & stability in Lower Shabelle. This victory follows the recent recapture of Sabiid and Anole. #AUSSOMInTheSectors

Mogadishu, (SONNA) – The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) strongly refutes media reports alleging heavy casualties among its soldiers in Bariire town, located southwest of the capital, Mogadishu. In response to claims made by Al Shabaab regarding the destruction of AU-owned armoured personnel carriers and the retreat of AUSSOM troops following intense fighting, AUSSOM wishes to clarify that its forces, in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), initiated a major offensive to recapture Bariire town on 1st August. The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group, with over 50 Al Shabaab militants killed and many others sustaining serious injuries. “AUSSOM and SNAF troops are determined to recapture Bariire town and other territories still under Al Shabaab control to ensure lasting peace and security for the people of Somalia,’’ said Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia.

Bariire, Somalia – The Somali National Armed Forces (SNA), backed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia’s successor—AUSSOM—have successfully captured and secured the strategic town of Bariire in the Lower Shabelle region following a week-long military offensive against the Al-Shabaab militant group. According to military sources, over 100 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in the joint operation, while several others were taken into custody. Somali troops also seized a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and logistical supplies during the offensive. Bariire, located approximately 60 kilometers west of Mogadishu, has long been a vital stronghold and operational corridor for Al-Shabaab, enabling movement between southern regions and staging attacks on the capital. Its recapture marks a significant tactical and symbolic victory for government and allied forces. SNA officials confirmed that a thorough clearance operation is ongoing to eliminate any remaining threats, defuse improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ensure safe return for displaced civilians. The Ministry of Defence hailed the operation as a “turning point” in the broader national campaign to eliminate Al-Shabaab from rural strongholds. AUSSOM commanders reaffirmed continued support for Somalia-led security efforts aimed at stabilizing liberated areas and expanding state authority. This latest success comes amid an intensified push by Somali forces to retake territory ahead of AUSSOM’s eventual drawdown.

MOGADISHU, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) confirmed on Sunday that its troops, backed by Somali government forces, killed more than 50 al-Shabab militants during a fierce fighting in Bariire town in southern Somalia on Friday. In a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, AUSSOM also refuted media reports alleging heavy casualties among its soldiers in Bariire. "AUSSOM wishes to clarify that its forces, in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), initiated a major offensive to recapture Bariire town on Aug. 1," the AU mission said, responding to claims made by al-Shabab regarding the destruction of AU-owned armored personnel carriers and the retreat of AUSSOM troops following intense fighting in Bariire. "The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group, with over 50 al-Shabab militants killed and many others sustaining serious injuries," AUSSOM said. The agriculturally rich Bariire town, which lies about 60 km southwest of Mogadishu, is one of the strategic areas located in the Lower Shabelle region along the Shabelle River. Local residents said the fighting on Friday was the most intense in recent days between the militants and allied forces. "AUSSOM and SNAF troops are determined to recapture Bariire town and other territories still under al-Shabab control to ensure lasting peace and security for the people of Somalia," said El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diene, special representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia and head of AUSSOM. ■

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali government troops, supported by African Union forces, have captured the strategic town of Bariire from Al-Shabaab insurgents following a week of heavy fighting, Somalia’s Ministry of Defence announced Friday. The capture of the town, located in the volatile Lower Shabelle region, represents a significant gain for the government in its ongoing offensive against the al-Qaeda-linked militant group. The operation resulted in over 100 militant deaths, according to a government statement. “The Somali National Army, with the support of the Ugandan Defence Forces contingent of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), has fully liberated the strategic city of Bariire,” the defence ministry said in a statement released Friday afternoon. Government forces are now conducting clearing operations in and around the town, where they have seized a large cache of weapons and military supplies. Several militants were also captured alive, the ministry added, promising to release more details as they become available. A strategic blow Bariire, situated approximately 60 kilometres (37 miles) southwest of the capital, Mogadishu, has long been a pivotal stronghold for Al-Shabaab. Its location on the Shabelle River provides control over a key bridge and access to fertile agricultural lands, which the group has historically used for revenue generation and logistics. The town has frequently changed hands over the years and served as a critical staging ground for Al-Shabaab to plan and launch attacks on government and civilian targets in Mogadishu and surrounding areas. Its recapture disrupts a major operational hub for the insurgents. “Lower Shabelle is one of Al-Shabaab’s most important operational areas,” said a Mogadishu-based security analyst. “Losing Bariire hampers their ability to move fighters and supplies and to project force towards the capital.” The successful operation highlights the critical role of international partners in supporting the Somali National Army (SNA). The statement from the defence ministry explicitly praised the “bravery of the National Army, ATMIS, and the support of international partners.” The Ugandan contingent is one of the largest within ATMIS, a multinational mission tasked with stabilizing the country and gradually transferring security responsibilities to Somali forces. Recent fighting in the area was also supported by U.S. airstrikes, according to the government. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) regularly conducts strikes in coordination with the Somali government to target Al-Shabaab fighters, command centres, and infrastructure. Ongoing offensive The capture of Bariire is the latest development in a major military offensive launched by the Somali government under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The campaign, which began in 2022, has enlisted the help of local clan militias and international partners, succeeding in liberating large swathes of territory from militant control, particularly in central Somalia. However, Al-Shabaab has proven to be a resilient foe. The group has been waging a brutal insurgency against the federal government for more than 15 years, seeking to impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law. Despite being pushed out of major urban centres, including Mogadishu in 2011, the group retains control over vast rural areas. From there, it continues to carry out deadly suicide bombings, raids on military bases, and targeted assassinations, posing a persistent threat to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa nation.

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