The National Army’s elite Danab commandos have overrun a militant stronghold on the outskirts of Jilib district for the first time in 15 years, dealing a significant blow to Al-Shabaab’s operational capability in the Middle Jubba region.
The operation targeted the Dambase area, a longstanding Al-Shabaab base near Jilib, which the militant group had controlled for over a decade and used as a hub for planning attacks across southern Somalia. Danab forces, operating in coordination with Jubaland regional security forces, entered the area and have since been conducting clearance operations to secure the surrounding villages.
Deputy Commander of the 162nd Danab Commando Battalion, Major Abdi Risaaq Mahamed Kusane, confirmed that Friday’s operation marked the first time government forces had reached the outskirts of Jilib in 15 years. The forces inflicted heavy losses on Al-Shabaab and cleared Dambase and its environs, with operations still ongoing, according to the commander.
The Danab commandos, who receive training and support from the United States, have been at the forefront of Somalia’s counter-insurgency efforts. The unit has conducted a series of targeted operations across southern Somalia in recent weeks, including raids in Lower Juba that destroyed multiple Al-Shabaab hideouts and killed senior militant commanders.
The raid comes as the Federal Government of Somalia prepares to launch what officials have described as the “final phase” of its military campaign against Al-Shabaab. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced during his Independence Day address on July 1 that the government would soon launch a decisive campaign aimed at removing the group from the country.
Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi has said the military is better prepared than at any point in recent years, with troop numbers doubled and operational capacity expanded. The new offensive is expected to span from the coast to the riverine areas, with the stated aim of strengthening security in Mogadishu and surrounding regions.
Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the Somali government for more than 16 years, maintains a significant presence across much of southern Somalia, particularly in rural areas outside major towns. Jilib district has long been considered one of the group’s key strongholds in the Middle Jubba region.
The Federal Government and Jubaland State administration have yet to issue formal statements on the operation.
