Bloody! UPDF Kills Top Al-Shabaab Commanders In Deadly Battle To Reclaim Strategic Somali Town

By Our Reporter

In a major breakthrough against terrorism, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), have killed three senior Al-Shabaab commanders during a fierce offensive to recapture Bariire, a strategic town located about 50 kilometres south-west of Mogadishu.

The high-impact operation, executed in close coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), began on the morning of Friday, August 1, as part of the second phase of Operation Silent Storm — a wider military campaign aimed at liberating the key towns of Sabiid, Anole, Bariire, and Awdheegle.

According to Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, Director of Defence Public Information, the towns of Sabiid and Anole had already been successfully retaken prior to this latest push.

“Over the last two days of intense fighting, our forces have neutralised more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants, including three of their most experienced commanders,” said Maj Gen Kulayigye.

The eliminated senior militants have been identified as:

Mohammed Abdallah, an anti-tank weapons specialist

Sadam Ibrahim, a notorious improvised explosive device (IED) expert

Abas, a seasoned infantry commander

Several other fighters were critically injured in the ongoing operation.

Despite stiff resistance, the UPDF and SNAF forces continue to advance, with joint units actively engaging remaining Al-Shabaab cells in and around Bariire to establish full control of the town.

Maj Gen Kulayigye emphasized that Al-Shabaab’s propaganda will not deter the resolve of the joint forces to free Somali communities from extremist violence.

“We remain committed to flushing out all remaining terrorist elements and apprehending their collaborators. Our goal is clear — to restore lasting peace, stability, and security across Somalia,” he affirmed.

Operation Silent Storm has become a defining military effort in the region, demonstrating the growing strength of joint African military cooperation in the fight against terrorism.