Somali Forces Kill Over 130 Al-Shabaab Militants to Repel Major Attack on Kudhaa

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali special forces and Jubaland regional allies repelled a major Al-Shabaab assault on a strategic town in the Lower Juba region, killing more than 130 militants during a daylong battle, the Ministry of Defence announced Thursday.

The 24-hour operation in the town of Kudhaa, approximately 70 kilometers southwest of Kismayo city, involved the Somali National Army’s elite Danab Special Forces, the Jubbaland Forces, and international partners.

According to a ministry statement, the joint forces thwarted a "suicide-style attack" launched by the Al-Qaeda-linked extremist group. The ensuing direct combat resulted in "significant losses" for the insurgents, with military officials reporting over 130 militants killed and numerous others wounded.

Fleeing fighters abandoned military vehicles and a cache of weapons, which were subsequently seized by national forces, the ministry said.

"Security in Kudhaa and its surrounding areas is now fully under the control of the Somali National Army," the statement read, adding that troops remain on "full alert" to conduct stabilization operations and prevent residual threats.

Al-Shabaab has intensified its campaign against the Somali federal government in recent years, frequently targeting military outposts and urban centers. The successful defense of Kudhaa represents a significant tactical victory for the Danab Special Forces, a U.S.-trained unit that serves as the tip of the spear in Somalia’s counter-terrorism efforts.

The Ministry of Defence and the Somali National Army Command commended the "bravery and coordination" of the involved units, reaffirming that offensive operations would continue until "lasting peace and stability" are achieved across the country.

International partners, which typically include U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and African Union forces, frequently provide air support and intelligence for such engagements. While the ministry did not name specific partners in this instance, regional reports indicated that aerial support played a key role in overwhelming the militants.

GAROWE ONLINE