Three senior Al-Shabaab commanders have been killed by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in close coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), in the ongoing offensive to recapture Bariire town from Al-Shabaab militants.
According to Director of Defence Public Information, Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, the operation began on the morning of Friday, August 1, targeting Bariire, a strategic town about 50 kilometres south-west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
"This marks the second phase of Operation Silent Storm, a broader military campaign aimed at liberating the towns of Sabiid, Anole, Bariire, and Awdheegle," he said, adding that Sabiid and Anole have already been successfully recaptured by the joint forces.
During two days of fighting in Bariire, over 50 Al-Shabaab militants have been neutralised, including three senior commanders: Mohammed Abdallah, an anti-tank specialist; Sadam Ibrahim, an improvised explosive device (IED) expert; and Abas, an infantry commander.
Several other militants sustained serious injuries.
"The offensive remains active, with UPDF and SNAF troops continuing operations to dislodge remaining fighters and secure full control of the area," said Maj Gen Kulayigye.
The UPDF has affirmed that Al-Shabaab’s propaganda will not weaken the determination of the joint forces to liberate Somali communities from terrorism.
Gen Kulayigye said the UPDF and SNAF remain committed to neutralising all remaining terrorist elements and apprehending their collaborators, in line with the shared objective of restoring peace, security, and stability in Somalia.
