Wednesday February 19, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali army forces, in coordination with Galmudug Dervish forces and local militias, conducted a planned security operation in Ba’adweyne district in the southern Mudug region on Wednesday, targeting areas where Al-Shabaab was extorting money from civilians. 

Security officials leading the operation stated that the targeted area housed Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters who had been covertly harassing residents. The forces successfully cleared militant hideouts, disrupting the group’s regional presence. 

The latest offensive is part of a broader counterterrorism campaign in southern Mudug, where Somali security forces and their allies have carried out similar operations in recent months. These efforts have led to the liberation of key areas under Al-Shabaab’s control for an extended period. 

The Somali army has intensified its anti-Al-Shabaab operations across the central regions, aiming to weaken the group’s hold and restore stability.