Somali National Army, With Possible U.S. Support, Targets Al-Shabaab in Dual Operations: Victories Claimed in Middle Shabelle and Hirshabelle

Somali government’s gratitude toward "international friends" likely includes the United States, given AFRICOM’s established role in supporting SNA operations against al-Shabaab, but no confirmation.

SOMALIA - On March 20, 2025, the Somali National Army (SNA) carried out two distinct military operations in the Middle Shabelle and Hirshabelle regions. These operations targeted insurgent groups referred to by the Somali government as 'Khawarij'—a term historically associated with an early Islamic sect but now used pejoratively to describe al-Shabaab militants, an al-Qaeda-affiliated organization active in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab Claims Responsibility For Attack on Somali President in Mogadishu

US, Somali National Army Conduct Joint Multi-Region Operations Against al-Shabaab

US, Somalian Military Strikes Target Al-Shabaab Militants In Hirshabelle, Somalia

Somali President Visits Front Lines After Al-Shabaab Attack on Convoy, Escalates Campaign Against The Group Alongside US Military

This report synthesizes information from Somali government statements and cross-references it with available military sources, including the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), to provide an assessment of the events.