# 2025 Shabelle Attacks

2025 Shabelle attacks is a series of attacks in the Middle Shabelle and Central Shabelle area of Somalia by Al-Shabaab against villages and outposts of the Somali National Army and allied militias.

## Attacks
### Initial attacks

On February 20, 2025, Al-Shabaab militants attacked four villages in the Middle Shabelle region with vehicles laden with explosives, they captured two villages before the Somali National Army repelled the Al-Shabaab militants from two villages in heavy fighting including the village of Ali Ahmed, where at least seven Somali National Army members were killed, twenty Al-Shabaab militants, and one local clan fighter were killed. Al-Shabaab militants used VBIED attacks, mortars, and attacked villages from all directions. Unnamed commanders of Al-Shabaab were killed in the village of Ceel Cali Axmed. Other villages like El Baraf were attacked, with fighting from pro-government Ma’awisley Abgal clan militia until they retreated and the village of El Baraf fell to Al-Shabaab with at least 93 pro-Government deaths.
In total, 130 Al-Shabaab militants were killed and the villages of El-Ali, Daaru Nicma, Ali Fooldheere, and Al Kawthar were taken from Al-Shabaab after brief moments of capture. Weapons, vehicles, and other military equipment were taken from Al-Shabaab militants after the confrontation though the exact amount of items were never specified.
According to General Ibrahim Mumin, the commander of the 3rd division of the Somali National Army, Al-Shabaab failed at its attempt at capturing major villages the Middle Shabelle region. Al-Shabaab has claimed they took over four military bases in the Central Shabelle area and Ali Ahmed, Daru Nickma, Kevser and Ali Fol Dheer settlements. Dozens of Mogadishu administration soldiers were killed and injured in the attacks with Al-Shabaab releasing images of the attacks through their media outlet, Al-Kataib Media Foundation, with some officers being recorded as captured by Al-Shabaab.

### Later attacks

On February 25, a joint military operation by the Somali government and local forces in Hirshabelle state, south-central Somalia, resulted in the deaths of over 70 Al-Shabaab members. Many of the Al-Shabaab members were besieged and killed. On the same day, Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for attacks in the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions of Somalia, seizing weapons and military vehicles. Militants launched a surprise attack on the Aboorey area in Hiiraan, targeting Macawisley militia members and claiming to have inflicted casualties and captured vehicles, though militia officials also reported inflicting losses on the attackers. Simultaneously, Al-Shabaab assaulted multiple areas in Middle Shabelle, causing civilians to flee, and entered the El Ahmed and Al-Kowthar areas, establishing a continued presence. Rising fear is reported in Aadan Yabaal, formerly held by government forces and the Ma’awisley militia. Through these attacks, Al-Shabaab took two villages including Ali Ahmed.
On February 26, Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Balad district in the Middle Shabelle region early, entering the town from multiple directions and engaging Somali federal government forces in heavy fighting. While the extent of casualties remains unclear, government-run media reported that the attack was defeated. Al-Shabaab militants attacked military bases in the Balad district.
On February 27, mortar shells were fired from the Middle Shabelle area at Mogadishu ahead of a planned visit by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. On the same day, fighting began in the town of Balad.
On February 28, al-Shabaab militants captured Balad which is located 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) north of Mogadishu after storming a military base located near the town.
On March 1, heavy clashes ensued between Somali forces and Al-Shabaab militants in Biyo Adde, a town in the Middle Shabelle, after Al-Shabaab launched an assault against government checkpoints.