By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, January 13, 2026 Somali forces have pushed Al-Shabaab militants back more than 100 kilometers from strategic territories in a major offensive, reclaiming towns including Sabib Caanoole, Baritre, and Awdhegle, according to the African Union's top official in Somalia.
Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, Special Representative of the African Union and head of AUSSOM, told Dawan Africa in an exclusive interview that the gains under Operation Silent Storm mark a turning point in the fight against the militant group—but warned that urban sleeper cells still pose serious threats.
"We are working shoulder-to-shoulder with Somali National Forces, planning, coordinating, and executing operations together," Diene said. "Al-Shabaab has been pushed back significantly, and we continue to work relentlessly towards their defeat."
Three Months Without Mortar Attacks in Mogadishu
The security shift is measurable: Mogadishu has gone three months without mortar attacks. No Somali National Army positions have been overrun by Al-Shabaab in that period—a significant departure from previous years when the militant group regularly launched complex attacks on military bases.
"Although we've made substantial progress, there are still sleeper cells in urban areas, and Al-Shabaab can still pose a serious threat," Diene acknowledged. "The current momentum has significantly reduced the group's ability to execute large-scale attacks."
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The ambassador emphasized that Somali forces are increasingly operating independently. "Today, we can proudly say that Somali National Forces, with our support, are increasingly able to handle their own operations. This is a critical step in the transition of responsibility to Somali-led security forces."
Military victories alone won't defeat Al-Shabaab, Diene argued. AUSSOM is pairing combat operations with political outreach and community stabilization efforts designed to undercut the group's ideological appeal.
Islamic scholars and clan leaders are working to counter Al-Shabaab's narrative and prevent the group from exploiting local conflicts for recruitment.
"Community-based stabilization is key," Diene said. "It helps create a secure environment for the return of social services and reinforces the perception that life without Al-Shabaab is far better."
The strategy aims to ensure that when Somali forces clear an area, Al-Shabaab doesn't simply return once troops move on—a pattern that has plagued previous offensives.
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