Somali forces recapture El Baraf and Miirtaqwa after brief Al-Shabaab occupation

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Friday February 21, 2025

Somali government forces and local militia pose for a photo after retaking Ceelbaraf from Al-Shabaab militants in the Middle Shabelle region. The joint operation, part of ongoing offensives against the extremist group, saw security forces reclaim control of the town without resistance as militants fled. CREDIT / SUPPLIED

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali government forces and allied local militias regained control of the strategic towns of El Baraf and Miirtaqwa in the Middle Shabelle region on Friday, reclaiming them from Al-Shabaab militants who had briefly occupied the areas.

The Somali National Army (SNA) and local fighters launched a coordinated counteroffensive, forcing Al-Shabaab to retreat without resistance. Military officials said the militant group had taken advantage of troop movements elsewhere to seize control of the towns but fled upon learning of the approaching government forces.

“The Khawarij exploited our redeployment to reinforce battles in Ceel Cali Axmed and Ali Fooldheere. They tried to hold El Baraf, but when they heard we were coming, they fled,” said a senior military officer overseeing the operation.

The recapture follows an Al-Shabaab attack on Thursday morning, during which militants used explosive devices to launch assaults on El Ali Ahmed and Ali Fooldheere. The federal government later announced that its forces had killed more than 130 Al-Shabaab fighters in the clashes.

Somali government forces, with support from local militias, have escalated military operations in Middle Shabelle and other regions to weaken Al-Shabaab’s territorial grip. The militant group, which has waged an insurgency against Somalia’s internationally recognized government for more than a decade, continues to stage attacks despite sustained military pressure

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