AUSSOM Military Meeting Coincides with Al-Shabaab’s Claimed Capture of Teydan

Military experts from countries contributing troops to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) convened in Mogadishu on Tuesday to finalize a joint operational plan for the next phase of the campaign against Al-Shabaab.

The meeting took place as the militant group claimed control of the strategic town of Teydan and several nearby areas in the Hiran region, highlighting the continued pressure facing Somali government forces in central Somalia.

The military experts’ meeting was held in preparation for talks involving the chiefs of defence staff of AUSSOM troop-contributing countries. It follows an extraordinary summit held recently in Kampala, Uganda, where participating states called for accelerated military operations against Al-Shabaab, improved intelligence-sharing and stronger coordination of troops, equipment and other operational resources.

Major General Mohamed Ali Barise, chairman of the military experts’ committee, said the proposed plan was intended to strengthen cooperation among the Somali National Army, AUSSOM forces and troop-contributing countries.

He said the plan had been submitted to the chiefs of defence staff for review and approval and would form the basis of the next phase of operations aimed at weakening Al-Shabaab and improving regional security.

Government Forces Reportedly Withdraw from Teydan

At the same time, local sources in Hiran reported that government forces had withdrawn from Teydan following heavy clashes with Al-Shabaab and had repositioned in the towns of Mataban and Beledweyne.

The sources said there was no visible government military presence outside the two towns following the withdrawal.

Al-Shabaab later released images that it said showed its fighters inside Teydan after taking full control of the town. The group also claimed to have captured the nearby settlements of Suley and Hassan Raage.

Three separate local and regional security sources reportedly confirmed that government forces had withdrawn from the three locations after intense fighting. However, the Somali federal government has not issued an official statement confirming the loss of Teydan or clarifying the current battlefield situation.

An Al-Shabaab official in Hiran, identified as Sheikh Guled Abu Nabhan, claimed that the group had regained all the areas it controlled before the launch of the government offensive in 2022.

He also described the town of Mahas as an additional gain for the movement and claimed that Al-Shabaab had prevented Ethiopian forces from taking part in previous military operations against the group.

These claims have not been independently verified.

Strategic Importance of Teydan

Teydan has served as an important forward position in eastern Hiran and lies along routes linking several parts of the region with neighbouring areas.

Its location made it useful for government troop movements and military operations targeting Al-Shabaab positions in central Somalia. Its reported capture therefore represents a potentially significant setback for the government campaign in Hiran.

The development also raises questions over the ability of Somali forces to hold rural positions after clearing operations, particularly as Al-Shabaab continues to exploit gaps in logistics, reinforcements and coordination among government and allied forces.

Kenya Reinforces the Somali Border

In a related regional development, Kenya is reportedly preparing to deploy additional police and security units to areas along its border with Somalia following a rise in attacks claimed by Al-Shabaab.

The reinforcements are expected to increase patrols, strengthen border surveillance and support security operations in Kenya’s northeastern counties.

The deployment is aimed at preventing militant infiltration from Somalia and protecting security personnel, civilians and critical infrastructure in areas that have repeatedly been targeted by the group.

The timing of the Kenyan reinforcement, the AUSSOM military planning meeting and the reported setbacks in Hiran reflects growing regional concern over Al-Shabaab’s ability to retain operational momentum despite sustained military pressure.

The Mogadishu meeting is therefore likely to focus not only on launching new offensives, but also on improving the ability of Somali and AUSSOM forces to defend captured territory, maintain supply lines and respond rapidly to coordinated militant attacks.