Bariire (Dawan Africa) – The Somali government says its forces, backed by Ugandan troops under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), have captured Bariire town in Lower Shabelle region after an operation that began last Friday and lasted a week.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Defence said the offensive killed more than 100 Al-Shabaab fighters, with others captured alive. It said troops are now conducting clearance operations in and around the town and have recovered what it described as significant quantities of weapons and military supplies.
“The Ministry of Defence commends the bravery of the Somali National Army, AUSSOM, and the support provided by international partners,” the statement read, adding that more details would be released after field assessments are completed.
Bariire has long held strategic importance. It was under the control of the African Union’s Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) from 2019 until June 15, 2024, when the Bariire Forward Operating Base (FOB) was handed over to the Somali National Army (SNA). However, on March 21, 2025, Al-Shabaab seized the town. The Bariire FOB is located about 60 km west of Mogadishu and serves as a key buffer zone for the capital.
The government’s claim of recapturing Bariire comes just days after El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) and head of AUSSOM, said on August 3 that AUSSOM and SNA troops were determined to retake Bariire and other territories still under Al-Shabaab control.Al-Shabaab has not commented on the government’s claims.
