Ugandan and Somali Forces Launch Major Offensive to Reclaim Strategic Bariire Town Amid Claims Al-Shabaab Killed 20 Peacekeepers
Last Updated on August 3, 2025 by Turkana County News Online
Ugandan forces, alongside the Somali National Army (SNAF), have launched a major offensive against Al-Shabaab militants in the strategic town of Bariire, amid reports that the militant group killed at least 20 Ugandan peacekeepers during recent clashes near Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) confirmed the operation, which aims to recapture Bariire from Al-Shabaab control. The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under AUSSOM, have been advancing on the town for several weeks.
Supported by U.S. and Turkish drone strikes, the campaign has involved sustained artillery shelling, reportedly devastating large parts of Bariire. According to AUSSOM, over the past 48 hours of intense fighting, more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants have been neutralized, including three senior commanders:
Mohammed Abdallah – Anti-tank specialist
Sadam Ibrahim – IED (Improvised Explosive Device) expert
Abas – Infantry commander
“Several other militants sustained serious injuries. The offensive remains ongoing, with UPDF and SNAF forces continuing operations to dislodge remaining insurgents and secure full control of the area,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab claims responsibility for killing over 20 Ugandan soldiers and wounding 34 others during fierce clashes on Friday in Bariire, located southwest of Mogadishu. These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
Footage circulating online this week—allegedly recorded by surveillance drones—appears to show artillery targeting insurgent-held positions around Bariire. The authenticity of the video has yet to be confirmed.
Bariire holds strategic importance due to its road networks connecting Mogadishu to southern Somalia. The town fell to Al-Shabaab in March during the group’s Ramadan offensive, and the militants have since consolidated their hold over the area.
Last month, Ugandan forces recaptured the nearby town of Sabiid following heavy shelling and drone strikes. However, progress has been slow and costly; Sabiid was briefly retaken by militants in a counter-attack late last month.
Military analysts say reclaiming Bariire, Sabiid, and Awdhegle is crucial in halting Al-Shabaab’s potential advance on Mogadishu. All three towns contain key bridge crossings over the Shabelle River, linking the capital to insurgent-controlled regions in southern Somalia.
The UPDF has reiterated its commitment, stating that Al-Shabaab’s propaganda will not deter the joint forces from liberating Somali communities from terrorism.
