Sabiib (Raxanreeb Online)– Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Macallin Fiqi, and Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali (Hosh), on Saturday officially inaugurated the rehabilitated bridge linking Sabib and Anole in Lower Shabelle region.

The opening ceremony was attended by senior federal government officials, officers of the Somali National Armed Forces, representatives of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), and officials from the Government of Türkiye, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The bridge, which has undergone major repair works, is a critical transport corridor for residents and commercial traffic, improving the movement of people, goods, and essential services across the area.

Officials speaking at the ceremony noted that the reopening of the bridge is expected to stimulate local economic activity, strengthen security, and enhance social and trade links between communities in Lower Shabelle. They further pledged that additional development and reconstruction projects will be implemented across the region.

The Federal Government underlined that the bridge had previously been destroyed by al-Shabaab, stressing that the group has deliberately targeted key infrastructure to hinder development and restrict communities’ access to opportunities and basic services.