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Somali troops advance to retake El Baraf after Al-Shabaab seizure
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    Friday February 21, 2025


    Somali National Army (SNA) troops and allied local militias advance through a rural area in Middle Shabelle as part of a counteroffensive to reclaim territory from Al-Shabaab militants. The operation follows intense clashes after the extremist group seized control of key locations, including El Baraf. CREDIT / SUPPLIED

    Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government forces are advancing toward El Baraf in Middle Shabelle following Al-Shabaab’s takeover of the town, which came after heavy clashes with the Somali National Army (SNA) and allied local militias on Thursday.

    The government has deployed elite troops—including Danab special forces, the Gorgor brigade, and the National Guard— from multiple regions, including Middle Shabelle and the Hiiraan districts of Moqokori and Mahas. The operation is part of a broader counteroffensive to reverse recent Al-Shabaab gains and reassert control over strategic locations in the region.

    Al-Shabaab militants seized El Baraf without resistance on Thursday afternoon, marking a major setback for Somali government forces. The capture followed a failed militant assault on the towns of El Ali Ahmed and Ali Fooldheere earlier that day. Somali government forces successfully repelled that attack, killing more than 130 Al-Shabaab fighters, including key commanders, according to official reports.

    El Baraf had previously been liberated from Al-Shabaab control, but its recapture highlights the group's persistent ability to launch offensives despite ongoing military operations against it. The town has also witnessed inter-clan violence, with six Somali National Army soldiers reportedly killed there in a tribal dispute late last year.

    Somali National Army Chief General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh is leading the offensive, which military sources say is aimed at dislodging Al-Shabaab from key strongholds in Middle Shabelle. The militant group, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for over a decade, continues to stage ambushes and targeted attacks despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

    Residents in El Baraf report rising tensions as government forces and local militias prepare for renewed combat with Al-Shabaab fighters. Civilians fear the escalation could lead to displacement and casualties as both sides position themselves for a decisive confrontation.

    The push to reclaim El Baraf is part of a wider military campaign launched by the Somali government to weaken Al-Shabaab’s grip on rural areas and disrupt its operational capabilities. Security analysts warn that while government offensives have led to territorial gains, Al-Shabaab remains resilient, often regrouping and launching counterattacks in regions where military presence is not sustained.

    Officials say additional troop movements are expected in the coming hours and days as government forces, backed by local fighters, aim to secure more contested areas in Middle Shabelle.

     





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