Somalia: al-Shebab launches deadly new offensive in central Somalia

Heavy fighting broke out on Thursday April 24 in central Somalia between government forces and Islamist fighters from the al-Shebab group. According to the Ministry of Information, forty members of the militia were killed during the operation.

A strategic attack on a military base

The Wargaadhi military base was targeted by the insurgents. Contacted by RFI, Omar Mahmood, analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), explains that this offensive illustrates al-Shebab’s strategy to strengthen its hold in the region.

” Al-Shebab attacked government positions and managed to occupy them temporarily before withdrawing, leaving the Somali army to regain control,” he points out.

A regional stifling tactic

This attack is part of a wider dynamic. For several months, the Islamist group has been concentrating its efforts on this area of Middle Shabelle, particularly around the strategic road linking this region to the Galguduud areas further north.

” Al-Shebab is seeking to consolidate its presence along this road axis, in order to isolate government forces further north and, ultimately, recapture several key towns,” adds Omar Mahmood.

Some of these localities had been reconquered by government forces in 2022 and 2023, but Islamist pressure is again intensifying.