U.S.-Trained Somali Forces Step Up Offensive Against Al-Shabaab Militants
Somalia’s US-trained elite Danab forces are conducting security operations in Lower Shabelle, targeting areas believed to be used by Al-Shabaab fighters and detaining suspected militants.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia’s US-trained elite Danab forces are conducting operations against Al-Shabaab in several areas of Lower Shabelle, as government troops intensify efforts to disrupt the militant group’s activities in a strategically important region of southern Somalia.
The operations are being carried out in areas including El Bashir, Farsooley and Dudumaay, as well as other locations in Lower Shabelle, according to security information from the region. The forces are targeting areas believed to be used by Al-Shabaab fighters and operatives.
The Danab units are conducting the operations based on intelligence gathered by Somali security agencies, with troops searching locations suspected of being used as hideouts by members of the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group. The latest campaign is part of continuing efforts by Somalia’s federal government to weaken Al-Shabaab and restrict its ability to operate in areas under its influence.
Several people suspected of having links to Al-Shabaab were detained during the operations, according to information from the area. The suspects are being questioned while security authorities investigate the allegations and seek to establish whether they had direct links to the militant group.
Authorities have not released details on the number of people detained, nor have they provided information on weapons seized or casualties resulting from the operations. There was also no immediate independent confirmation of the scale of the military campaign.
Lower Shabelle remains one of the most strategically important regions in southern Somalia. Its proximity to the capital Mogadishu, agricultural production and network of roads have made it a key area of confrontation between government forces and Al-Shabaab.
The militant group has maintained a presence in parts of the region for years, using rural areas as bases from which to move fighters, collect taxes, organise attacks and maintain supply routes. The group has also carried out attacks against government forces and civilian targets in the region.
Danab is one of Somalia’s most capable special forces units and has received training and support from the United States. The unit has become a key component of Somali military operations against Al-Shabaab and has participated in offensives in several parts of the country.
The US-trained forces have been used in operations designed to strike militant positions, disrupt command structures and clear areas where Al-Shabaab fighters are believed to be operating. Their role has become increasingly important as Somalia seeks to strengthen its own security forces and assume greater responsibility for national security.
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Recent operations in Lower Shabelle have also involved Somali forces and international partners. In April, African Union and Somali forces conducted operations in the region that targeted Al-Shabaab positions and hideouts, according to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Danab forces have previously reported successful operations in Lower Shabelle. In June, Somali authorities said the unit killed 14 Al-Shabaab fighters during an operation in Kurtunwaarey district and destroyed weapons and military equipment.
In July, Danab forces also reported killing nine Al-Shabaab members, including a local commander, during an operation in the Hantiwadaag area of Lower Shabelle.
The latest campaign comes as the Somali government continues to face the challenge of sustaining military pressure against Al-Shabaab, which remains capable of carrying out attacks despite repeated offensives by government and allied forces.
Security officials say the Danab operations will continue as part of efforts to disrupt militant movements, dismantle support networks and prevent Al-Shabaab from using rural areas of Lower Shabelle as launching points for attacks.
For the federal government, maintaining pressure on the group in Lower Shabelle is considered important not only for securing communities in the region but also for strengthening security around Mogadishu and other major population centres.
The operations also highlight the growing reliance on specialised Somali forces as the country moves toward greater national ownership of security operations.
Somali authorities have repeatedly said that building the capacity of elite national units such as Danab is essential to weakening Al-Shabaab and eventually restoring government control over areas affected by years of insurgency.
The Danab forces are expected to continue their operations in Lower Shabelle in the coming days as the government seeks to consolidate security gains and prevent Al-Shabaab from rebuilding its networks in the region.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.