Raxanreeb Online Mogadishu: Somali government forces have retaken control of the strategic town of Hawaadely in the middle of the Shabelle region that had been overrun by the Al-Shabaab militia.

The Al-Shabaab had overtaken the Hawaadely in June of 2025 after a fierce attack that had left residents of the area displaced and disrupted key movements in the area.

The recapture of Hawaadely is a massive gain for the Somali government; that is the offensive against the Al-Shabaab, who had disrupted delivery of service in some areas.

Sources have told reporters that the government forces descended on the area with heavy airstrikes and military artillery that neutralized the militant positions around the Hawaadely town, weakening their defenses before the Monday ground advances.

The ministry of defense is yet to give a statement on the casualty figures, but sources indicate that several al-Shabaab militia were killed and some injured in the overnight strikes.

Experts note that the capture of Hawaadely could improve movement for government forces in the region and solidify their supply lines in the ongoing operations.

Hawaadely has been under Al-Shabaab control for over 5 months; the Somali forces have intensified their offensive on the militia ahead of the planned transition of the African Union peacekeeping forces and renewed commitments from international partners.