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Mogadishu
Ugandan troops under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), have killed over 50 Al-Shabaab militants, including several senior commanders, during a major military operation in Bariire, Lower Shabelle region.
The offensive, which began on Friday, August 1, 2025, targeted Bariire — a strategic town located approximately 50 kilometres southwest of Mogadishu.
In a statement, AUSSOM confirmed the deaths of three senior Al-Shabaab operatives:
AUSSOM also dismissed media reports alleging significant casualties among its troops during the operation.
“The joint military operation has resulted in substantial losses for the terrorist group, with over 50 militants killed and many others seriously injured,” the mission stated, adding that the offensive is ongoing as forces continue to pursue remaining fighters and secure full control of the area.
This marks the second phase of Operation Silent Storm, a wider military campaign aimed at liberating Sabiid, Anole, Bariire, and Awdheegle. Joint forces have already successfully retaken Sabiid and Anole.
In a related development on Monday, August 4, UPDF and SNAF troops neutralised a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) in Bariire. The vehicle, a Toyota Surf laden with explosives, was intercepted and destroyed before reaching its intended target. The militants on board were also eliminated.
Al-Shabaab has increasingly relied on VBIEDs, roadside IEDs (RSIEDs), and landmines to destabilise liberated areas, target civilians, and hinder joint operations. However, UPDF and SNAF forces have maintained momentum, steadily reclaiming territory and degrading the group’s operational capacity.
Operations remain ongoing in Bariire and surrounding areas, with AUSSOM reaffirming its commitment to the security of civilians and the liberation of all Al-Shabaab strongholds in Lower Shabelle.
Source: UPDF
