Somali National Army (SNA), in collaboration with Ugandan forces serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), has fully captured the strategic Awdheegle district in the Lower Shabelle region.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Defense said the liberation of Awdheegle marks a major milestone in the ongoing “Silent Storm” offensive — a multi-phase military campaign aimed at dismantling Al-Shabaab’s presence in southern Somalia.
Awdheegle, an important agricultural town located about 80 kilometers southwest of Mogadishu, is vital for securing key supply routes and protecting nearby communities. The town had long served as a hideout and a source of revenue for the militant group.
According to the ministry, troops are now conducting clearance operations to ensure the safety of residents and remove any remaining threats.
On Friday, Somali government troops backed by African Union peacekeepers under the AUSSOM mission also recaptured key villages from Al-Shabaab in the same district. The pre-dawn operation targeted militant hideouts in Shaamgare and Raqayle, where forces overran underground tunnels and fortified positions following a brief firefight.
Officials confirmed that several militants were killed and others fled the area. The joint forces reported no casualties.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida affiliate waging a 17-year insurgency, continues to launch sporadic attacks and maintain control over parts of southern and central Somalia. The federal government, supported by international partners, has vowed to press ahead with the second phase of its counteroffensive to secure all liberated areas ahead of the planned drawdown of ATMIS troops.
