Somalia’s military says it has killed more than 75 al-Shabaab militants and wounded another 56 during an hours-long battle in the country’s southwestern Bay region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, the Defence Ministry said the fighting erupted when al-Shabaab militants attacked a military convoy transporting supplies between Leego and Burhakaba in South West State.
The ministry said troops operating under Operation Banooda engaged the attackers to repel the assault and protect the convoy.
During the fighting, an explosives-laden vehicle driven by al-Shabaab militants approached a Somali army position but detonated before reaching its intended target, according to the ministry.
The government said its forces would continue pursuing al-Shabaab fighters and individuals accused of providing the group with support or shelter.
The casualty figures provided by the Defence Ministry could not be independently verified.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked militant group, has fought Somalia’s federal government and African Union forces in the country since 2007. The Somali government often refers to the group as “Khawaarij”, a term it uses to describe the militants.
Since July, Somali forces, backed by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and other international partners, have intensified operations against the group.
The United Nations Security Council renewed AUSSOM’s mandate in December 2025, extending its authorisation through December 31, 2026, as international efforts to support Somalia’s security operations continue.
