The Somali National Army (SNA) killed 50 al-Shabaab fighters and wounded several others during a coordinated military operation on the outskirts of Baidoa, Southwest State, authorities confirmed on Friday, 15 May. The assault, carried out on Thursday, also resulted in the destruction of multiple technical battle vehicles, weapons caches, and operational equipment belonging to the militant group, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Key Developments

The Ministry of Defence stated that forces dismantled significant militant infrastructure during the operation. Separately, the ministry accused armed militia loyal to former Southwest State leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed of directly colluding with al-Shabaab. Mohamed has denied the accusations, according to reports.

In a strongly worded statement, the ministry warned: 'The government reaffirms that it will never tolerate any individual or group using weapons or armed militias for political purposes or to undermine national security. Anyone supporting terrorists or providing them cover will face action in accordance with the law.'

Al-Shabaab's Counterclaim

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for what it described as a dawn ambush, asserting that its fighters killed two senior SNA commanders and seized four military transport vehicles during the withdrawal. The Somali government has not independently confirmed these claims, and such counterclaims by al-Shabaab are common following government-reported operations.

Pattern of Intensifying Operations

The Baidoa operation follows a similar strike last month in which Somali armed forces, backed by international partners, killed 22 al-Shabaab militants — including a commander — during targeted operations across the country's southern region. The Ministry of Defence confirmed on 29 April that those operations, involving ground forces and airstrikes, resulted in the killing of militants in Buulo Cabdalla in the Lower Shabelle region. Among the dead was Commander Cabdiraxmaan Jeeri, reportedly known for terrorising the local civilian population.

This comes amid a broader SNA strategy to eliminate al-Shabaab's rural strongholds. The extremist group was driven out of the capital, Mogadishu, in 2011, but has since entrenched itself in rural areas, conducting ambushes and planting landmines across southern and central Somalia.

International Support and Government Commitment

The ministry expressed appreciation for continued international partner support, underlining its commitment to intensifying operations as part of a broader stabilisation strategy. Somalia's counter-insurgency campaign has relied heavily on foreign military assistance, including from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and Western partners. The government's latest statement signals an intent to sustain operational tempo even as political tensions over alleged militia collusion add a domestic dimension to the conflict.

What Comes Next

With al-Shabaab maintaining a rural insurgency more than a decade after losing Mogadishu, the SNA faces the persistent challenge of consolidating territorial gains. The allegations against former Southwest State leader Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed could further complicate civil-military relations in a region where political rivalries have historically been exploited by the militant group. Further operations are expected as the government pursues its stated goal of eliminating al-Shabaab's operational capacity.