Somalia's Federal Government has announced preparations for what officials describe as the "final phase" of military operations against Al-Shabaab, marking a significant escalation in the decade-long campaign against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group. Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi confirmed the intensified operations following recent territorial gains by the Somali National Army in the Shabelle region.
The declaration comes as the SNA has captured several Al-Shabaab-held towns including Awdhegle, Bariire, Sabiid, and Canole, along with surrounding villages. These gains represent the most significant territorial advances in the current "Silent Storm" campaign, with operations now moving into what government officials characterize as a conclusive stage against the militant network.
Current military operations
The escalated campaign involves intensified ground offensives, expanded airstrike coverage, and enhanced coordination with African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) forces and Ethiopian troops. Defense Minister Fiqi characterized Al-Shabaab as "weakened, fragmented, and on the back foot," entering what he described as a "final phase of desperation."
Recent bombardments in Lower Shabelle eliminated dozens of alleged Al-Shabaab members in coordination with international partners, according to government statements. Thousands of Ethiopian troops are reportedly preparing to deploy to bolster SNA and AUSSOM forces in the coming operations. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated that Al-Shabaab leaders have shown no interest in dialogue, reinforcing the government's commitment to a military solution.
The operations build on a "total war" declared by President Mohamud in August 2022, which has progressed through several stages. Somalia's parliament recently approved constitutional changes amid regional boycott, adding political complexity to the military campaign's timing.
Members are reading: How past offensive patterns suggest Al-Shabaab's ability to reconstitute after initial defeats depends on sustained governance capacity.
Operational challenges ahead
Somalia has battled Al-Shabaab for over a decade, with mixed results. The group often retreats from direct confrontation only to maintain control in rural areas and launch attacks when government forces withdraw. The ability to hold captured territory and establish governance in newly liberated areas will determine whether this offensive achieves its stated objectives.
The campaign's success hinges on sustained military pressure, effective coordination between federal and regional forces, and the government's capacity to consolidate control in areas where Al-Shabaab has long provided rudimentary governance structures. With international forces playing crucial support roles, the operation represents a major test of Somalia's military capabilities and political will to eradicate the group's operational capacity in contested regions.
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