Saturday 2,August 2025 {HMC} Somali government is preparing to launch a major military offensive to retake Aden Yabaal district in the Middle Shabelle region from Al-Shabaab, as part of the second phase of its ongoing war against the extremist group.
Military officials speaking from Garasweyne village on Saturday confirmed that a significant force comprising Somali National Army (SNA) troops, police units, and mobilized local militia has been assembled for the operation, which is expected to commence in the coming days.
They said the troops involved are “highly trained and equipped with modern weaponry,” and are ready to conduct “serious operations aimed at defeating Al-Shabaab and restoring lasting security.”
“This is part of the second phase of the war against Al-Shabaab, which aims to liberate all areas where they are present in the Middle Shabelle region,” one senior official told reporters.
The strategic mobilization comes after Al-Shabaab regained control of several key areas in central Somalia, including Aden Yabaal in Middle Shabelle and towns like Moqokori and Mahaas in the Hiiraan region.
The upcoming joint operation will rely heavily on local collaboration, with residents playing an essential role in supporting government forces on the ground—a tactic that has proven effective in past campaigns across Hirshabelle State.
Source Hiiraan online
