The joint operation led to the capture of Sabid and Anole, strategic regions that had been under militant control for years. These territories form part of the wider Shabelle region.

ATMIS Field Commander Brigadier General Joseph Ssemwanga  of Uganda described the operation as a "major breakthrough" and said the liberation of Shabelle represents a crucial step towards weakening al-Shabaab’s grip and restoring stability in the area.

“These gains send a clear signal that Somali forces are increasingly capable of securing and holding ground on their own,” said Dennis Beru, a regional journalist and head of Grassroot Journalism Kenya. “This isn’t just a military victory, it is a sign of growing public confidence in Somalia’s security institutions.”

Beru noted that operations of this scale are not only designed to defeat the insurgency but to pave the way for long-term self-reliance. “The ultimate goal is for Somalia to take full control of its own security. What we are seeing now is progress towards that objective.”

--ChannelAfrica--