In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on Jan. 14, 2026. The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of Lower Shabelle, Somalia, approximately 55 km southwest of Mogadishu.AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade al-Shabaab’s ability to 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.

Over 30 Al-Shabaab militants killed in a joint operation The operation, supported by air assets and involving multiple engagements with al-Shabaab fighters, was conducted in the vicinity of the Bulunagaad military base in the Lower Shabelle region, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. https://uzalendonews.co.ke/over-30-al-shabaab-militants.../

he Somali National Army (SNA) and the African Union (AU) forces, backed by international partners, on Thursday killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants during a joint operation in southern Somalia, the AU peacekeeping mission said. The operation, supported by air assets and involving multiple engagements with al-Shabaab fighters, was conducted in the vicinity of the Bulunagaad military base in the Lower Shabelle region, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. “Through coordinated ground and air offensives, over 30 al-Shabaab militants were put out of action, while several others sustained injuries,” the AU mission said. According to the mission, the militants had earlier attacked SNA and AUSSOM forces during pursuit operations targeting remnants of al-Shabaab fighters dislodged from the coastal town of Gendershe and the Jilib-Marka axis under SNA-led operations code-named Operation Hidden Sword. “Joint forces will continue operations to degrade al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and to promote lasting peace, stability, and security in Somalia,” AUSSOM said. The latest joint operation comes as Somali security forces are ramping up offensives against al-Shabaab militants across Somalia in recent past. Local soldiers, backed by international partners, have been conducting joint operations in central and southern regions as government forces move to gain a foothold.

Mogadishu- More than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a joint military operation in southern Somalia, African Union forces said on Thursday. The operation, carried out by the Somali National Army (SNA), the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ugandan troops (UPDF) and international partners, took place in the Bulunagaad area of Lower Shabelle region. In a statement, AUSSOM said the operation targeted Al-Shabaab militants positioned near a forward operating base in Bulunagaad, with allied forces receiving air support. “Through coordinated ground assaults and aerial strikes, more than 30 Al-Shabaab fighters were neutralised, while several others were wounded,” the mission said. The militants had earlier launched attacks against SNA and AUSSOM troops during follow-up operations aimed at pursuing Al-Shabaab remnants pushed out of the coastal town of Gendershe and areas along the Jilib–Marka road, the statement added. The offensive is part of a broader government-led campaign dubbed “Operation Hidden Sword”, targeting the Islamist group’s remaining strongholds in the region. AUSSOM said Somali forces, backed by the African Union and international partners, had acted “swiftly and decisively to eliminate terrorist threats against security forces and civilians in the area.” If you have information about the activities of the Al-Shabaab, Call 0611169105.

Mevlut OzkanJanuary 15, 2026•Update: January 15, 2026ISTANBULSomali, Ugandan and African Union (AU) forces on Thursday killed more than 30 al-Shabaab militants and injured several others during a joint operation in southern Somalia, the AU peacekeeping mission said.The operation was carried out with support from international partners, combined air and ground strikes near the Bulunagaad forward operating base to target al-Shabaab positions and weaken the group’s operational capabilities in Lower Shabelle region, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement.This came after terrorists attacked the Somali army and AUSSOM forces pursuing al-Shabaab fighters who had been driven out of towns along the coast during the Somali army-led Operation Hidden Sword.The peacekeeping mission vowed that joint forces would continue efforts to weaken al-Shabaab’s capabilities and advance lasting peace, stability, and security across the Horn of Africa.The al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group in southern and central Somalia, Al-Shabaab, has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials, and civilians.Since July last year, the Somali army, with the support of the AUSSOM and other international partners, has stepped up operations against al-Shabaab.The AU mission's mandate was renewed by the UN Security Council in December for another year, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorization until Dec. 31, 2026.

January 15, 2026GOOBJOOG NEWS| LOWER SHABELLE: AU mission says more than 30 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in a joint operation near Bulunagaad in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.In a press statement dated January 15, 2026, the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said the Somali National Army (SNA), working with AUSSOM, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other international partners, carried out the operation in the vicinity of the Bulunagaad Forward Operating Base (FOB).AUSSOM said the operation was supported by air assets and involved multiple engagements, leaving several other Al-Shabaab fighters injured.The mission said the militants had earlier attacked SNA and AUSSOM forces as they conducted pursuit operations against Al-Shabaab remnants dislodged from coastal areas, including Gendershe, and along the Jilib–Marka axis during SNA-led operations it said were codenamed Operation Hidden Sword.AUSSOM said joint forces acted swiftly to neutralize threats targeting security forces and civilians, and reiterated their commitment to protecting civilians, maintaining security and enabling the safe movement of humanitarian assistance and logistics supplies.The statement added that joint forces will continue operations aimed at degrading Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities and promoting lasting peace, stability and security in Somalia.

MOGADISHU — Somali and African Union (AU) forces, operating alongside Ugandan troops, killed over 30 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded several others during a joint operation in southern Somalia on Thursday, according to a statement from the mission. The operation, supported by international partners, involved coordinated air and ground strikes near the Bulunugaad forward operating base. The offensive aimed to target militant positions and diminish the group’s operational capacity in Lower Shabelle. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) reported that the strikes successfully disrupted local insurgent activities. The engagement followed attacks by militants on Somali and AU forces who were pursuing Al-Shabaab fighters displaced from coastal towns during the Somali National Army-led “Operation Hidden Sword.” This offensive aligns with recent successes where army units captured Al-Shabaab storage facilities and dismantled militant hideouts in the region. “AUSSOM and Somali forces remain dedicated to weakening Al-Shabaab and advancing lasting peace, stability, and security across the Horn of Africa,” the mission stated in a press release. Al-Shabaab, linked to Al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency against the Federal Government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces and civilians. Since July 2025, Somali troops, backed by AUSSOM and other international partners, have intensified operations against the group, often relying on elite units like the Danab and Gorgor commandos to clear rural strongholds. The mission’s presence was recently reaffirmed when the U.N. Security Council renewed its mandate in December 2025. The resolution, backed by the United Kingdom, extends the mission’s operations through December 31, 2026.

January 15, 2026Reading time: 4 minutesA statement issued by the African Union Mission in Somalia said that at least 30 al-Shabaab fighters were killed in a clash that took place yesterday afternoon in the Bulonaagey area between the Geel-Waregow and Numbeer Lixdan areas of the Lower Shabelle region. The clash reportedly began with an attack by Al-Shabaab fighters on a government convoy that was passing through, and then turned into an hours-long battle in which government forces received support from allies supporting the Somali military. Apart from air support, the fighting was joined by African Union forces and local tribal forces, after the fighting lasted for many hours and was fierce. Reports from the Lower Shabelle region indicate that the situation in the region is calm and peaceful. This fighting, which is part of the fighting and shelling that has been carried out in recent weeks in areas where the AS is present in the Lower Shabelle region, has been driven out of several areas, including Dhanaane Gandarshe and Jilib-marko, but it is reported that it is still carrying out targeted attacks in those areas. The casualties reported by the African Union forces have not yet been reported, nor have there been any reports of civilian casualties in the areas where the clash took place yesterday. Shelling in Bu'ale On the other hand, a statement published on Barta X, the Somali National Security Agency, stated that today, NISA forces, supported by Somali military support forces, carried out an airstrike in Bu'ale town in Middle Juba region. The airstrikes targeted a house where senior Al-Shabaab fighters were staying after receiving important and reliable information. The statement published by the security agency said that "The National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) forces, in cooperation with international partners, carried out a major operation targeting the Khawarij groups in the Bu'ale district of Middle Juba region", adding that Al-Shabaab suffered casualties. "There are casualties among leaders and other militants, as well as damage to vehicles and other weapons." There has been no immediate comment from Al-Shabaab, except for a statement on their website that they killed 7 government soldiers in yesterday's fighting, although the BBC has not received independent reports to confirm their claim. Skip Most Read and continue readingMost ReadEnd of Most ReadAreas the government says it has captured from Al-ShabaabSkip, continue readingBBC Somali WhatsAppIn-depth reports and news from BBC Somali coming straight to you on WhatsApp.Join hereEnd of AdvertisementEarlier this month, Somali government forces captured the Jilib-Marko area, which they had controlled for a long time. The Jilib-Marka area is between Mogadishu and the town of Marka in the Lower Shabelle region.The Somali military, which is also supported by the intelligence agency and local tribal forces, continues to drive Al-Shabaab from a key area along the coastal road connecting Mogadishu and Marka.The operation, dubbed the Hidden Sword, has been ongoing for the past few weeks in the coastal areas between the capital Mogadishu and the town of Marka, and has previously driven Al-Shabaab from the areas of Gandershe and Dhanaane, according to government agencies. Meanwhile, the Minister of Security for the South West State, Hassan Abdikadir, told the BBC that the operation went smoothly. "A good operation to secure the city and clear mines is underway there," the minister said, describing the operation as a success, adding that "weapons were seized from them, many militants were killed and fled." These operations were part of battles and shelling by government forces in various areas of the country. Their control and resettlement are said to be of primary importance. Ahmed Abdilaahi Kabole, a security commentator, said that the capture of the Jilib-Marka area represents an important area for the Somali government that they have seized, and they are expected not to retreat. "If the government retains those areas and does not return to the old pattern of occupying them and leaving, it would be a relief for the people," said Kabole, adding, "Al-Shabaab would be disappointed if the government retains those areas."

15 Jannaayo 2026Waqtiga akhriska: 4 daqiiqoWar qoraal ah oo uu soo saaray xafiiska hawlgalka midowga Afrika ee Soomaaliya ayaa lagu sheegay in ugu yaraan 30 kamid dagaalyannada al-Shabaab lagu dilay dagaal shalay galab ka dhacay deegaanka Buulonaagey oo u dhaxeeya deegannada geel-wareegow iyo lambar lixdaan ee gobolka Shabeellda hoose.Dagaalka ayaa lasoo sheegayaa inuu ka bilowday weerar ay dagaalyannada Alshabaab ku qaadeen kolonyo gadaadid ciidamada dowladda ah oo jidka marayey, kadibna uu isku beddelay dagaal saacado qaatay oo ay ciidamadii dowladda ay kaalmo ka heleen saxiibada taageera militariga Soomaaliya. Marka laga yimaado kaalmada cirka ah waxaa dagaalka ka qeyb-qaatay ciidamo midowga Afrika iyo ciidamo kuwa qabaa'ilka deegaanka ah, kadib markii uu dagaalku socday saacado badan uuna ahaa dagaal adag.Wararka ka imaanaya gobolka Shabeellada hoose ayaa sheegaya xaaladda deegaanku ay degan tahay oo ay nabad tahay.Dagaalkaan oo qeyb ka ah dagaallo iyo duqeymo todobaadyadii u dambeeyey lagu qaaday deegaannada ay joogaan AS ee gobolka Shabeellaha hoose, iyado laga saaray dhowr deegaan oo ay kamid yihiin Dhanaane Gandarshe iyo Jilib-marko, waxaase lasoo sheegayaa in wali goobaha ay ka sameenayaa weeraro kudhifo oo ka dhaqaaq ah.Khasaaraha ay sheegayaan ciidamada Midowga Afrika illaa iyo hadda lama soo sheegin waxyeello soo gaartay dadka rayidka ah ee ku nool deegaamadiii uu shalay iska hor imaadku ka dhacay.Duqeymo ka dhacay Bu'aaleDhanka kale war qoraal oo lagu baahiyey Barta X, ee hay'adda Nabad sugidda Soomaaliya ayaa lagu sheegay in maanta ay ciidamada NISA oo taageero ka helaya ciidamada taageerada militariga Soomaaliya ay duqeyn ka fuliyeen magaalada Bu'aale ee gobolka Jubada dhexe. Duqeymahaan ayaa lagu bartilmaameedsaday guri ay joogeen Horjoogeyaal sare oo ka tirsan dagaallamayaasha Alshabaab kadib markii la helay xogo muhiim ah oo lagu kalsoonaan karo.Qoraalka ay daabaceen hay'adda nabadd sugidda ayaa lagu yiri "Ciidanka Hay'adda Sirdoonka iyo Nabadsugidda Qaranka (NISA) oo kaashanaya Saaxiibada caalamka ayaa howlgal culus oo lala beegsaday kooxaha khawaarijta ka fuliyay degmada Bu'aale ee Gobolka Jubbada Dhexe", iyada oo intaa lagu daray in uu khasaare soo gaaray Alshabaab . "Waxaa jira khasaare dhimasho ah oo soo gaaray horjoogayaal iyo maleeshiyaad kale ,iyadoo sidoo kale burbur uu ku yimid gaadiid iyo hub kale".Majiro wax war oo kasoo baxay illaa iyo hadda kooxda Alshabaab, marka laga yimaado in baraha ay ku leeyihiin ay ku daabaceen in dagaalkii shalay ay ku dileen 7 sargaal ooka tirsan ciidamada dowladda, in kasta aysan BBC-da aysan helin warar ka madaxbanaan sheegashadooda oo xaqiijinaya. Skip Ugu akhris badan and continue readingUgu akhris badanEnd of Ugu akhris badanDeegaannada dowladdu sheegtay in laga qabsaday ShabaabIska gudbi, siina wada aqrintaBBC Somali WhatsAppWarbixinada qotada dheer iyo wararka BBC Somali oo toos kuugu imanaaya WhatsApp.Halkaan kaga soo biirDhamaadka xayeysiintaHorraantii bishaan ayey ahayd markii ciidamada dowladda Soomaaliya ay Alshabaab ka qabsadeen deegaanka Jilib-marko oo ay ka talinayeen muddo aad u dheer. Deegaanka Jilib-Marka waxa uu u dhexeeya Muqdisho iyo magaalada Marka ee gobolka Shabeellaha Hoose.Milateriga Soomaaliya oo sidoo kale ay taageerayaan ciidamada hay'adda sirdoonka iyo kuwa qabaa'ilka deegaanka ayaa sii wada in Al-Shabaab laga saaro dhul hor leh oo ku yaala waddada xeebta ah ee isku xirta Muqdisho iyo Marka.Hawgalkan loogu magac daray Seefta Qarsoon waxa uu dhawrkii todobaad ee ugu dambeeyay ka socday deegaannada xeebta ah ee u dhaxeeya magaala madaxda Muqdisho iyo magaalada Marka, waxana horey Al-Shabaab looga saaray deegaannada Gandershe iyo Dhanaane, sida ay hay'adaha dowladdu sheegeyn. dhanka kale, wasiirka amniga dawlad goboleedka Koonfur Galbeed, Xasan Cabdiqaadir oo BBC-da la hadlayay ayaa u sheegay in weerarka si hagaagsan u dhacay. "Howlgal fiican oo magaalada amnigeeda lagu sugayo, miinooyinkana looga sifeynayo ayaa halkaas ka socda" ayuu yiri wasiirka oo sheegay in howgalka uu ahaa mid lagu guuleystay, waxa uuna intaas ku daray "waxaa looga qabsaday hub, waxaa looga dilay maleeshiyaad badan oo ay ka carareen".Hawl-galladaan ayaa qeyb ka ahaa dagaallo iyo duqeymo ay ciidamda dowladda ka sameenayeen deegaamo kala duwan oo dalka. Gacan ku haynta iyo dib udejintooda ayaa laguu sheegayaa in ay tahay muhiimadda kowaad. Axmed Cabdilaahi Kaboole, oo ka faalooda arrimaha ammaanka ayaa ku tilmaamay in qabsashada deegaanka deegannada ay Jilib-Marka ay uga dhigan tahay dowladda Soomaaliya meel muhiim ah oo ay la wareegeen, lagana doonayo in aysan dib uga laaban. "Hadii ay dowlada sii haysato deeganadaas oo aysan noqon qaabkii hore ee ahaa inta ay meel qabsadaan oo ay ka soo baxaan, waxaad moodaa in shacabka ay markaas u tahay iftiin" ayuu yri Kaboole oo intaas ku daray "Al-Shabaab niyadjab ayey u tahay hadii dowladda ay deeganada sii haysato"