Breaking: AUSSOM-UPDF And Somali Forces Recapture Awdheegle Town from Al-Shabaab.
In a major joint offensive, Somali National Army (SNA) forces, backed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM-UPDF), have successfully recaptured the strategic town of Aw Dheegle in the Lower Shabelle region from the militant group Al-Shabaab, military officials announced today.
05/October/2025
by Y.Emma#lcctv news
The operation, codenamed “Operation River Spear,” marks a significant strategic and psychological victory for the Somali government and its international partners, dealing a blow to Al-Shabaab’s control over key agricultural and riverine areas south of the capital, Mogadishu.
According to a statement from the AUSSOM-UPDF contingent, primarily comprised of Ugandan Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF), the assault began in the pre-dawn hours with a coordinated artillery and air bombardment on Al-Shabaab defensive positions. Ground troops then advanced from multiple fronts, engaging in heavy fighting on the outskirts of the town before pushing into the urban center.
“Al-Shabaab put up a fierce but disorganized resistance,” said Brigadier General John Tumusiime, speaking from the AUSSOM-UPDF forward operating base. “However, the combined strength and precise planning of our forces overwhelmed them. They have been cleared from the town, and our engineering units are now sweeping the area for improvised explosive devices and booby traps.”
Aw Dheegle, located approximately 30 kilometers west of Mogadishu, has changed hands several times over the past decade. Its recapture is critical as it lies along a key supply route and is part of the fertile Shabelle River valley, a region Al-Shabaab has used for extortion and revenue generation through taxing local farmers.
The liberation of Aw Dheegle is more than a tactical win; it represents a crucial step in the second phase of the Somali government’s offensive aimed at consolidating control around the capital and disrupting Al-Shabaab’s financial networks.
“The enemy’s ability to collect illegal taxes and move freely in this corridor has been severely degraded,” stated SNA Commander, General Ali Mohamed. “We are not just taking territory; we are cutting off their economic lifeline.”
Security analysts note that the true test will now be holding the town and establishing effective governance and security to prevent Al-Shabaab from infiltrating back, a tactic the group has used successfully in the past.
A spokesperson for the Somali President confirmed that plans are already underway to deploy Somali police units and local administrators to Aw Dheegle to begin the stabilization process immediately. “We are moving in with a whole-of-government approach—security, aid, and administration—to ensure the people of Aw Dheegle feel the tangible benefits of liberation,” the spokesperson said.
The successful operation is also being hailed as a demonstration of the evolving role of AUSSOM-UPDF, which is gradually shifting from leading combat operations to a supporting role, in line with the U.N.-mandated security transition plan.
“This victory was Somali-led, with our partners providing the enabling support,” General Mohamed emphasized. “It is a clear signal that the Somali security forces are growing in capacity and confidence.”
While celebrations have erupted in parts of Mogadishu, officials are urging caution, warning that Al-Shabaab is likely to retaliate with asymmetric attacks, including suicide bombings and mortar fire, in the coming days.
The recapture of Aw Dheegle signals a renewed and aggressive push by the Somali government and its international allies as they work towards the stated goal of crippling Al-Shabaab’s operational capabilities by the end of 2025.
#lcctv news
