MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – An airstrike conducted by international partners destroyed a recently constructed bridge in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region, the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) announced on Sunday.
The bridge, located in the Aw-baalle area, served as a critical link between the Hiran and Middle Shabelle regions over the Shabelle River and was allegedly being used by Al-Shabaab vehicles at the time of the strike.
While NISA did not explicitly name the country responsible for the operation, it referred to the involvement of “international partners.” Notably, both the United States and Turkey often conduct airstrikes in Somalia to support efforts against Al-Shabaab, which has been waging a prolonged insurgency against the Somali government and foreign forces in the country.
The strike comes amid a series of alarming territorial gains by Al-Shabaab in the Middle Shabelle region. Over the past weeks, the militant group has captured more than a dozen towns and villages, catching Somali forces off guard and forcing a disorganized retreat. The group’s advances have raised concerns about its growing momentum in the region.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, however, sought to downplay the situation this week. While acknowledging the militants’ recent progress, he described their gains as limited and emphasized that such back-and-forth dynamics are common in conflict zones.
He also noted that Al-Shabaab had not yet seized control of any districts, underscoring the government’s resolve to push back against the group.
The destruction of the bridge raises questions about its potential impact on Al-Shabaab’s ongoing offensive. The group has been advancing steadily toward three key towns in the Middle Shabelle region: Adan Yabal, Adale, and Jowhar. Whether the loss of this critical infrastructure will hinder their progress remains to be seen.
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