Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) troops serving under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), in a joint operation with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), successfully captured Bariire town today, Friday 8 August 2025.
The military campaign, code-named Operation Silent Storm, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to weaken Al-Shabaab’s control in the Lower Shabelle region.
The operation followed days of an all-out ground combined arms offensive and siege which led to flushing out Al-Shabaab terrorists from their hideouts, trenches, and tunnels in Bariire town, resulting in the recapture of the town from Al-Shabaab control.
The forces inflicted heavy casualties on Al-Shabaab terrorists, with over 100 Al-Shabaab fighters put out of action (POA), over 50 injured, and others captured during the second phase of Operation Silent Storm to recapture Bariire town after the successful recapture of Sabiid and Anole towns in the Lower Shabelle region.
The joint forces recovered 30 submachine guns, 6 PKMs, 4 RPGs, 8 sniper rifles, and a cache of live ammunition as they bowed to the threat from joint forces.
The AUSSOM Force Commander, Lt Gen Sam Kavuma, congratulated the joint forces for a successful offensive. “I commend the brave efforts of our gallant AUSSOM UPDF troops and the Somali National Armed Forces to degrade Al-Shabaab. AUSSOM is fully committed to implementing the Somali Transition Plan, which will culminate in the transfer of security responsibilities to the Somali security forces,” he said.
The Sector One Commander, Brigadier General Joseph Musoke Ssemwanga, said, “The capture of Bariire is another huge blow to the Al-Shabaab and a major achievement to AUSSOM UPDF troops, SNAF, the Somali Government and the locals.”
Brigadier General Ssemwanga thanked the troops for their resilience and bravery that saw the defeat of Al-Shabaab in Bariire town.
Bariire had become a strategic location where the terrorists planned deadly attacks, concealed ammunition including vehicles for Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs), and staged illegal checkpoints to tax locals.
AUSSOM and SNA forces are currently holding the seized grounds and clearing small pockets of Al-Shabaab terrorists in the areas of Bariire district and nearby areas in the Lower Shabelle region of Somalia. The operations aim to degrade and eliminate Al-Shabaab terrorists from Somalia, creating a safer, more secure, and peaceful Somalia.
