Al-Shabaab has destroyed a key bridge in Somalia amid increased pressure from the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia, which has been trying to regain control of three strategic bridges seized by the group over a year ago; the destruction comes as AU-backed forces attempt to reopen vital supply routes across the country (Garowe Online)
Over 150 Somali Soldiers and Militiamen Surrender to Al-Shabaab
Over 150 soldiers from the Somali National Army and Ma’awisley clan militia reportedly surrendered to al-Shabaab militants in Xawaadley, Middle Shabelle, in one of the largest recent surrenders; many of the surrendering soldiers were allegedly part of the Jareer Weyne militia and had been experiencing food and water shortages (Horn Observer)
Al-Shabaab Maintains Control of Strategic Central Somalian Village
As part of al-Shabaab’s offensive campaign in Central Somalia, the Islamist militants have allegedly retained control of El Hareeri, despite numerous days of fighting with the Somali Armed Forces (Garowe Online)
The group aims to capture other towns in the region (Garowe Online)
Joint Aerial Operation Kills Three Al-Shabaab Chiefs
In a raid conducted by Danab Commandos, a group of elite special forces trained by the United States, the Somali government reported that three al-Shabaab chiefs were allegedly killed (The East African).
Militia Leader Challenges Somali Government Claim of Executing Senior Al-Shabaab Leadership
The leader of the Ma’awisley militia in Somalia’s Hiiraan region rejected the federal government’s claim that the national army led a recent operation against al-Shabaab; he asserted that Ma’awisley fighters were responsible for killing senior militants, calling the government’s statement “shameful” and reaffirming the militia’s commitment to securing the region (Garowe Online)
Somali Military Court Sentences Al-Shabaab Bomb Makers
A Somali military court sentenced Abdinasir Mohamed Hassan to life in prison for manufacturing car bombs for al-Shabaab since 2018, earning $240 a month while working under a senior commander named Khalid; Maadey Abdi Hussien received a two-year sentence for modifying vehicles for the group (Garowe Online)
Turkey to Supply Somalian Navy With Combat Helicopters
To help Somalia in its fight against al-Shabaab, Turkey agreed to send T129 Atak helicopters to the Somalian navy; this follows a defense agreement signed between the two countries in February 2025 and aims to safeguard Turkish economic assets in Somalia (Business Insider Africa)
Al-Shabaab Forces Burundian Troops Out of Xawaadley
Al-Shabaab militants have seized control of Xawaadley, about fifty miles north of Mogadishu, after pushing out Burundian troops; the takeover follows the Somali National Army’s withdrawal from Adan Yabaal last month, with militants reportedly flooding parts of the area to aid their advance (Garowe Online)
Growing Evidence Suggests that Houthis Train Al-Shabaab Fighters in Yemen
Evidence suggests a consolidating relationship between al-Shabbab and Yemen’s Houthi rebels; a detailed report published by the Africa Center stated that the collaboration has increased each group’s ability to impede international shipping and disrupt security forces across waterways (Africa Center)
This comes after the UN confirmed in 2024 that al-Shabbab received sophisticated weaponry and training from the Houthis between June and September 2024 (Garowe Online)
UN Calls On Somali Government to Reform Laws on Counterterrorism
The UN has urged Somalia to reform its counterterrorism laws, warning that vague definitions of terrorism are enabling human rights abuses such as arbitrary arrests, prolonged detention, and enforced disappearances; despite criticizing the use of clan militias and the impact on media freedom, the UN called on international partners to continue supporting Somalia politically and financially (Garowe Online)
Somali Special Forces Kill Over Forty Al-Shabaab Militants in Lower Shabelle
The Danab Special Forces killed more than forty al-Shabaab militants in an operation in Lower Shabelle, according to state media; several senior militants were captured, and advanced weapons were seized (Garowe Online)
Ma’awisley Fighters Abandoned as Al-Shabaab Regains Ground in Central Somalia
The Hawadle clan militia, locally known as the Ma’awisley, is reportedly fighting al-Shabaab without federal support as militant attacks surge across the Hiiraan region; once allied with the national army, the militia is now isolated, and the government’s withdrawal from Middle Shabelle has created a security gap that al-Shabaab is exploiting to regain territory (Garowe Online)
Al-Shabaab Suicide Bomber Kills Twenty at Military Recruitment Event
Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing at a military recruitment center in Mogadishu, targeting an event organized to address troop shortages; the attack killed at least fifteen people and injured twenty others as dozens of young men waited to enlist (Garowe Online)
Baraawe Airport Explosion Kills Two, Wounds Five
No group has yet claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb that exploded near Barawa Airport in Lower Shabelle, killing at least two people and injuring five others; the device targeted a vehicle reportedly en route to pick up khat, a stimulant (Garowe Online)
Senior Al-Shabaab Leader Killed in Mission by Somali National Army
Al-Shabaab operations leader Mohamed Ali Gaaguf was killed along with two militants in a joint security operation in Mudug’s Aalim area, Harardhere district; authorities also captured former militia fighter Hared Abdi Ali, whose arrest is expected to provide vital intelligence for counterterrorism efforts (Garowe Online)
U.S. Places $10 Million Bounty on Al-Shabaab Militant Responsible for Manda Bay Attack
The U.S. government has announced a $10 million reward for information on Abdullahi Banati, a suspected al-Shabaab militant believed to be behind the 2020 Manda Bay terrorist attack; the assault killed three American citizens and marked al-Shabaab’s first major attack on a U.S. military base in East Africa (Garowe Online)
U.S. Senators Move to Block Somalia Counterterrorism Funding
A group of Republican senators introduced legislation to halt U.S. funding for Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts unless European allies and the United Nations increase their financial contributions, arguing that the burden should be more evenly shared (Fox News)
Parliamentary Crisis Develops as MP Expelled, Others Suspended
A session of Somalia’s Lower House descended into chaos when lawmakers clashed over Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed Nur’s expulsion of MP Abdullahi Hashi Abiib for absenteeism; the altercation led to physical confrontations, intervention by parliamentary police, and the subsequent suspension of twenty MPs and four cabinet ministers from parliamentary sessions, actions criticized by opposition figures and civil society as politically motivated and detrimental to democratic norms (Hiiraan Online)
Five Killed, Two Injured in Suspected al-Shabaab Attack in Kenya
Suspected al-Shabaab militants ambushed quarry workers in Mandera county, Kenya, killing five and injuring two; the event has raised concerns over the group’s resurgence and the spillover of instability from Somalia (Eastleigh Voice)
Somalia Welcomes Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Expanded Partnership
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, visited Mogadishu to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and trade, part of an ongoing strategic move by Moscow to strengthen its influence in the Horn of Africa (Business Insider Africa)
Somalia Appoints New Defense Minister
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre appointed a new defense minister as the country struggles to push back against gains by the militant group al-Shabaab; Ahmed Moallim Fiqi Ahmed, who previously served as foreign minister and national security chief, will hold the position (Reuters)
Al-Shabaab captured villages within thirty miles of the capital, Mogadishu, last week before being pushed back by government forces (Reuters)
Meanwhile, Turkey has nearly doubled its military personnel in Somalia, deploying approximately five hundred soldiers, including three hundred commandos and two hundred drone operators; the move aims to bolster Somali forces against al-Shabaab’s advances near Mogadishu (Middle East Monitor)
African Leaders Call for Increased Peacekeeping Support in Somalia
During a summit in Kampala, Uganda, African leaders called for additional peacekeeping forces in Somalia to counter the escalating threat from al-Shabaab militants; the proposal includes potential troop contributions from Egypt (AP)
Somalia Expels Deputy Head of African Union Peace Mission
The Somali government expelled Sivuyile Thandikhaya Bam, the deputy head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, following remarks he made regarding al-Shabaab’s offensive that were deemed inappropriate by central authorities (Africa Intelligence)
Somalia Seeks Enhanced Security Guarantees from Turkey
Facing intensified al-Shabaab attacks, Somalia’s government is seeking increased security support from Turkey; discussions include the provision of arms and the potential deployment of Turkish troops to stabilize the country’s security situation (Africa Intelligence)
Somalia Accuses AU Mission Head of Supporting Al-Shabaab
Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi accused Ambassador Sivuyile Thandikhaya Bam, acting head of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, of sympathizing with Al-Shabaab by submitting misleading reports that portray the group favorably (AllAfrica)