The Somali Army and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia have worked together to reclaim strategic villages from the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
Soldiers in Silent Storm, a three-day joint operation, recaptured the villages of Anole and Sabiid. AU Mission officials said the operation was to liberate areas controlled by the terrorist group.
“Several Al-Shabaab fighters were neutralised during a prolonged siege of their hideouts in the villages,” said a news release, adding that the joint forces “seized a substantial amount of ammunition from fleeing militants.” The joint task force also removed improvised explosive devices planted in communities and along supply routes.
Ugandan Brig. Gen. Joseph Semwanga said the region was targeted because “it had become a strategic location since March, where terrorists plan deadly attacks, conceal ammunition, including vehicles for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and established illegal checkpoints to extort locals.”
In the wake of the initial three-day operation, Soldiers secured the recaptured areas and villages and cleared pockets of al-Shabaab terrorists from Lower Shabelle’s Afgooye district, according to Maj. Gen. Sahal Abdullahi Omar, Somalia land forces commander.
The AU established the latest mission in January 2025, taking over from the AU Transition Mission in Somalia. The mission focuses on supporting Somali security forces, degrading terrorist groups such as al-Shabaab, stabilizing recovered areas, and preparing Somalia to assume full security responsibility.
The authorized strength has been up to 12,000 uniformed personnel, including 680 police officers. The mission has been severely underfunded since its inception, with a $73.7 million shortfall as of June 2025.