Somali government forces say they have killed nearly 75 Al-Shabaab militants and wounded another 56 during a major offensive in the country’s southwestern Bay region, as the military intensifies operations against the Islamist insurgent group.
The Somali National Armed Forces launched the assault on Monday, October 26, 2026, in Jameeca, Buurhakaba district, under Operation Banooda, according to a statement from the military.
The fighting lasted several hours and involved engagements at multiple locations, the statement said, adding that the operation targeted Al-Shabaab positions in the area.
The military did not provide details on how the reported casualties were assessed or whether the figures had been independently verified.
During the clashes, Al-Shabaab fighters used vehicles laden with explosives to attack military vehicles, damaging some of them, according to the statement. It did not specify how many vehicles were damaged or whether government troops were killed or wounded.
The attack highlights the continued threat posed by the group’s use of explosives and vehicle-borne attacks against Somali security forces.
The Somali military said the offensive was part of a sustained campaign to weaken Al-Shabaab, destroy its positions and prevent the group from regrouping.
Operation Banooda to continue
“The Somali National Armed Forces will continue Operation Banooda and will not be deterred by Al-Shabaab or anyone providing the group with support or shelter,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Defence and the military command praised the troops involved in the operation, commending their courage and sacrifice.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing military operations against the group, saying the campaign aims to eliminate the security threat and promote peace and stability across Somalia.
The statement did not provide a timeline for the next phase of Operation Banooda or specify whether government forces had taken control of the targeted positions.
Al-Shabaab remains a security threat
Al-Shabaab, an armed Islamist group linked to al-Qaeda, has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s federal government for more than a decade. The group has carried out attacks against security forces, government institutions and civilians, including bombings and assaults on military installations.
Somali forces, supported at various times by international partners and African Union-led missions, have sought to reclaim territory held by the group and disrupt its operational networks.
However, the insurgents have continued to mount attacks despite repeated military offensives, underscoring the challenges facing efforts to establish lasting security across the count
