SNA Danab Commandos Target Al-Shabaab IED Network in Harboole Area

MOGADISHU — The Danab Special Forces of the Somali National Army, in coordination with international partners, have carried out a planned operation on the outskirts of Harboole village in the Afmadow district of the Lower Juba region, destroying a cell of Al-Shabaab militants involved in planting landmines and explosives.

During the operation, the forces dismantled a group of Khawaarij militants who were actively preparing and planting landmines and improvised explosive devices targeting roads used by civilian vehicles. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to degrade Al-Shabaab’s capabilities and ensure the safety of civilians and public movement.

Afmadow district, where Harboole is located, is among the areas where Al-Shabaab has maintained a significant presence for years. The operation in Harboole is part of a broader pattern of intensified offensives in the Lower Juba region, where Danab commandos have led multiple successful operations against militant strongholds.

Danab’s Campaign in Lower Juba

The Danab commandos have been conducting operations against Al-Shabaab in recent days in the areas of Harboole, Miido and Weel-marow, as part of ongoing efforts to clear the group from remaining strongholds in the region. In November 2025, Danab commandos seized key positions in Lower Jubba in one of the most consequential military operations mounted in the region in recent years, capturing the Araare Bridge and securing major access roads leading directly toward Jamame.

The operation builds on previous successful advances in the region, with the elite Danab unit spearheading the advance and securing major access roads. Residents described an intense early-morning movement of troops as the joint forces pushed into areas that had been under militant control for more than a decade.

Counter-IED Efforts in Lower Juba

Afmadow district has been a focus of counter-IED operations, with Danab forces working to secure key routes used by civilians and military convoys. The latest operation targeted militants who had been laying explosives along roads in the area. The Somali National Army has also conducted mine clearance operations in other regions, with specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal units successfully locating and removing active improvised explosive devices along primary transit roads.

In other operations, Hirshabelle State Police forces have killed Al-Shabaab militants planting landmines, successfully thwarting planned attacks on civilians and demonstrating the effectiveness of intelligence-led security operations in countering Al-Shabaab’s tactics.

Critical Note

The Danab operation in Harboole highlights the ongoing efforts by Somali forces and their international partners to degrade Al-Shabaab’s capabilities, particularly its use of IEDs, which remain a persistent threat to civilians and military personnel alike. The targeting of mine-laying cells is a critical component of counterterrorism strategy, as these operations directly protect civilian lives and facilitate the movement of goods and services.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these operations depends on the ability of Somali forces to sustain the momentum and maintain pressure on Al-Shabaab’s networks. The group has repeatedly demonstrated its capacity to adapt and regroup, exploiting clan dynamics and grievances for recruitment and leverage. While the Danab commandos have proven their effectiveness in targeted operations, the broader challenge of securing liberated areas and preventing Al-Shabaab’s return remains unresolved.

The international community’s continued support, including air support and training, remains crucial to sustaining these operations. However, the long-term solution lies in strengthening Somali institutions and addressing the underlying governance deficits that Al-Shabaab exploits to sustain its insurgency.