Somali forces and militias recapture key al-Shabaab stronghold in Mudug

Somali government forces and local militias have recaptured the key Al-Shabaab stronghold of Baraag Ali-Gaduud in southern Mudug. Situated 50 kilometres west of Harardhere, the village had been an Al-Shabaab hub for coordinating attacks.

Military officials overseeing the operation reported that they dismantled fortified positions and destroyed key hideouts within the village, effectively disrupting Al-Shabaab's ability to launch assaults in the surrounding areas. They added that the capture marks a key moment in the two-year campaign to expel Al-Shabaab from Mudug.

Somali forces have engaged in ongoing efforts to liberate territories under Al-Shabaab's control. The capture of Baraag Ali-Gaduud represents a tactical win and a strategic advancement in the broader objective of securing Mudug. By uprooting Al-Shabaab from this critical base, Somali authorities are working to disrupt the group's operational network.

The operation's success also highlights the growing cooperation between government troops and local militias, a collaboration that has become increasingly vital in the fight against Al-Shabaab. 

In December 2023, Somali forces, in coordination with international partners, conducted an airstrike targeting Al-Shabaab militants in Baraag Ali-Gaduud. The strike, carried out approximately 31 kilometres south of Harardhere, targeted vehicles carrying Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters. It resulted in the destruction of two vehicles, though the exact number of militants killed was not disclosed at the time.