Somalia’s National Army has intensified operations against al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab militants, aiming to dismantle networks threatening the capital, Mogadishu, and regain control over southern and central regions. The campaign is part of a “total war” strategy declared by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after his 2022 election, combining frontline military action, intelligence operations, and efforts to target the group’s finances and local influence. In Mogadishu, security measures range from armed pick-up trucks and checkpoints to plainclothes operatives led by Colonel Abdikani Ali Mohamed, a young officer whose authority has grown as the government works to neutralize threats. Even armored vehicles trigger alerts if they have not passed checkpoints for days.
Recent operations have limited al-Shabab attacks in Mogadishu. The group’s last major assault was August 2024, when a bombing at Lido Beach killed dozens. Since then, security officials report a decline in large-scale attacks, although attempts such as the failed assassination of the president in March 2025 and a prison attack in October highlighted ongoing risks. Al-Shabab continues to rely on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and guerrilla tactics, often targeting hotels, government buildings, and crowded areas. Concrete barriers protect key sites, while the presidency and embassies remain heavily fortified near the airport. Occasional U.S. airstrikes support Somali forces in their operations.
In the Lower Shabelle region, clashes between government troops and al-Shabab have increased. Towns such as Bariire have changed hands multiple times in 2025. Many residents, including Daynab Mukhtar Aden, fled violence and destruction, walking dozens of kilometres to temporary settlements. Aden returned after government troops recaptured the town, though bridges and infrastructure remain destroyed by militants. Lt. Col. Abdirahim Mohammed Munye emphasized that defeating al-Shabab in Lower Shabelle is essential to securing Mogadishu and ensuring civilian safety. Despite the challenges, Mogadishu is showing signs of normalcy, with cafes, ice cream parlors, and construction projects reopening, reflecting cautious optimism among residents. The ongoing campaign illustrates Somalia’s reliance on a combination of military force, intelligence-led operations, and regional support, including African Union peacekeepers and advisers from Egypt and Turkey, to reclaim territory and restore stability after decades of weak central governance since the overthrow of Siad Barre in 1991.
