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Location: Mogadishu, Somalia
Somalia’s National Army is escalating operations against Al Shabab as the government advances its declared “total war” strategy. Security forces in Mogadishu now rely heavily on intelligence gathering and rapid‑response units, with checkpoints manned by both soldiers and plain‑clothed operatives watching for the group’s shifting tactics. Colonel Abdikani Ali Mohamed, one of the young commanders at the forefront, says the militants keep evolving their methods which forces the army to adapt continuously, reports africanews.com.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud first announced the total war approach in 2022, committing not only to confront the militants on the battlefield but also to target their financing and influence across Somali communities. The operation draws support from African Union peacekeepers along with advisers from Egypt and Turkey. At its core is the National Intelligence and Security Agency which coordinates the wider network of forces tasked with stabilising the capital.
Somalia’s security vacuum dates back to the collapse of central authority in 1991. Al Shabab entrenched itself during this period, building networks across rural and urban centres. While attacks continue, officials say major operations have disrupted the group’s planning capacity. The last major attack in Mogadishu occurred in August 2024 at Lido Beach where dozens were killed. Other attempts, including a failed plot to assassinate the president in March and a prison attack in October, were intercepted by security forces.
Authorities argue that the current campaign is compressing the militants operationally and geographically. Intelligence‑driven raids, community collaboration and regional offensives are narrowing Al Shabab’s ability to operate freely. Even so, officials caution that the campaign requires sustained support from Somali citizens and international partners to achieve lasting security gains.
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