Somalia Intensifies Final Offensive Against Al-Shabaab as Egypt Reaffirms Support for Territorial Unity
Government reports militant surrenders and battlefield gains, but continued attacks and regional competition underscore unresolved security challenges
The Somali government says it has entered the final phase of its campaign against Al-Shabaab, reporting new battlefield gains and the surrender of several militants as security forces expand operations across southern and central Somalia.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently announced that Somali National Army forces had begun the final stage of efforts to eliminate the group, while renewing an amnesty offer for fighters willing to defect and rejoin society. Government officials said militants surrendered in areas including Mubarak, Bulo Mareer and Jilib Marka, citing sustained military pressure, airstrikes and worsening logistical conditions inside the organization.
The latest developments coincide with continued offensive operations. Somali National Army units and Jubaland forces announced a joint operation in Lower Juba that killed two field commanders and 14 Al-Shabaab fighters, while capturing two additional members and seizing weapons and ammunition.
Despite these claims, Al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate operational resilience. On Friday night, the group launched an attack on a Somali military base near Luuq in the Gedo region, triggering heavy fighting. Somali authorities had not released an official assessment of casualties or the outcome of the attack at the time of publication.
The contrasting developments illustrate the current phase of the conflict: while government forces are increasing pressure on Al-Shabaab across multiple fronts, the group retains the ability to launch coordinated attacks against military positions.
The security campaign is unfolding amid growing political tensions in Mogadishu. Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed accused the government of using state weapons against political opponents instead of focusing on Al-Shabaab. The government has not accepted those accusations, but the dispute reflects concerns that political divisions could complicate the wider counterinsurgency effort.
Meanwhile, Turkey continues to strengthen its military partnership with Somalia. Turkish Land Forces Commander General Metin Tokel visited Mogadishu this week, where he attended the graduation of Somali officers at the TURKSOM Military Training Center and held meetings with senior Somali military officials to advance bilateral defense cooperation.
In a separate diplomatic development, Egypt renewed its categorical rejection of any recognition of Somaliland, reaffirming its support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity. Cairo’s position comes as Somaliland remains at the center of increasing geopolitical competition across the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Previous Sheba Intelligence reporting has highlighted expanding military and strategic activity around Somaliland, including developments in Berbera and growing regional competition over ports, military infrastructure and maritime influence along the Gulf of Aden.
Taken together, the latest developments suggest Somalia is fighting on two interconnected fronts: sustaining military pressure on Al-Shabaab while navigating an increasingly complex regional contest over the country’s territorial integrity and strategic position in the Horn of Africa.
