US-Somali Airstrike Targets Al-Shabab Amid Renewed Fighting

US and Somali forces conducted an airstrike on Adan Yabaal targeting significant al-Shabab militants amidst escalating violence for territorial control. The strike followed a militant raid and reports suggest the group is striving to regain momentum after recent setbacks.

In a decisive military action, the US and Somalia launched an airstrike against al-Shabab militants in the town of Adan Yabaal, located north of the capital, Mogadishu. This strike, described by the Somali Information Ministry as "well-coordinated," resulted in the deaths of 12 militants, including several senior members of the al-Qaeda-linked group. The operation was initiated following an al-Shabab raid on the town, which has become a pivotal site for military operations in the region.

The ongoing combat in Adan Yabaal highlights escalating tensions in Somalia, with deep concerns about a resurgence of jihadist activities following a series of aggressive militant assaults. Notably, one such attack recently targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy, underscoring the persistent threat posed by al-Shabab, which has been engaged in a conflict to overthrow the Somali federal government for nearly two decades.

The Somali government maintains that al-Shabab has experienced significant weakening, attributing this to the concerted efforts of the African Union-led peacekeeping force, which has advanced against the group throughout 2022 and 2023. Nonetheless, the airstrike was specifically aimed at counteracting the persistent threats from the militants, and the ministry reassured that there were no civilian casualties during the operation.

Adan Yabaal is strategically important; it was first seized by al-Shabab in 2016 but was retaken by government forces in 2022. Instantly following the airstrike, heavy fighting erupted, with al-Shabab claiming to have regained control of the town. Local sources corroborated that militants had indeed taken over, though the government refrained from making any assertions about the current control situation in Adan Yabaal.

In a separate development, reports emerged of the national army successfully killing at least 35 al-Shabab fighters near Baidoa, thwarting an attack on an army base. Despite recent advances made by the militants, President Mohamud has downplayed these developments, asserting that occasional setbacks are part of the conflict and that the government remains resolute in its goal to dismantle al-Shabab's stronghold.

For further insights on Somalia and related developments, follow BBC Africa across various social platforms.