The Somali army, backed by Ugandan troops from the African Union mission (AUSSOM) and other foreign partners, launched a new operation named “Operation Rolling Thunder” in southern Somalia to target strongholds of the Al Shabab terrorist group, a Defence Ministry statement said on Sunday.

The ministry said the forces are focusing on dismantling key Al Shabab positions in the Lower Shabelle region and disrupting the Al Qaeda-linked group’s access to the routes used for terrorist activities.

It said the operation aims to weaken Al Shabab’s operational capacity, remove remaining terrorists plotting attacks, and safeguard civilians along with key agricultural and production areas.

The ministry vowed that Operation Rolling Thunder will continue until the terrorist group is “fully eradicated as a threat to peace, progress, and state-building in Somalia.”

AUSSOM's mandate extended

Al Shabab has been engaged in terrorism against the Somali government for more than 16 years, frequently targeting security forces, officials and civilians.

Since last July, the Somali army, with the support of the AUSSOM and other international partners, has stepped up operations against the group.

The AUSSOM’s mandate was renewed for another year by the UN Security Council in December, with a UK-backed resolution extending its authorisation until December 31, 2026.