MOGADISHU, Somalia — July 29, 2026 —Al-Shabaab carried out a series of overnight attacks on Somali government and African Union security positions in the Lower Shabelle and Bay regions, according to local sources. The reported assaults targeted military installations in Qoryooley, Afgooye, Mubarak, and Qansaxdheere, underscoring continuing insecurity in southern Somalia despite ongoing military operations against the militant group.

According to local sources, the first reported attack occurred overnight in Qoryooley district of Lower Shabelle, where Al-Shabaab fighters targeted a military base used by Somali government forces and African Union troops. Residents in the area reported hearing heavy gunfire, although the duration of the fighting and the extent of any damage were not immediately clear.

Additional attacks were reported in Afgooye district, where security positions in the Buulo Fooliya and Buunda Yareey neighborhoods came under assault, according to local residents. The sources said gunfire was heard around the targeted locations during the night.

Local sources also reported that Al-Shabaab attacked a Somali government military camp in the Mubarak area of Lower Shabelle. No official information was immediately available regarding casualties or damage resulting from the incident.

In the neighboring Bay region, residents said the group carried out another overnight attack on a Somali government security base near the livestock market in Qansaxdheere district. The circumstances surrounding the attack remain unclear, and there was no immediate confirmation from security officials.

As of Thursday morning, Somali authorities had not issued an official statement on the reported attacks. Independent verification of the incidents, including casualty figures and battlefield outcomes, was not immediately possible.

No confirmed casualty figures have been released following the reported attacks. According to local sources, security forces responded after the assaults, but officials have not provided details about losses or damage.

Residents in several of the affected areas reported hearing exchanges of gunfire during the night. There were no immediate reports of civilian casualties or displacement linked to the attacks.

The Federal Government of Somalia had not publicly commented on the reported attacks at the time of publication.

Somali government forces, working alongside African Union troops, continue to conduct operations against Al-Shabaab across southern and central Somalia. Officials have previously said such operations are intended to weaken the group’s operational capabilities and restore government control in contested areas.

Lower Shabelle and Bay have remained among Somalia’s most contested regions for more than a decade. Al-Shabaab maintains an active presence in rural parts of both regions and has frequently launched attacks targeting military bases, security checkpoints, government facilities, and supply routes.

Qoryooley and Afgooye are strategically important because they sit along key transport corridors connecting Mogadishu with southern Somalia. Control of these routes is considered important for military movements, trade, and humanitarian access.

Qansaxdheere in Bay region has also experienced recurring violence, with Somali government forces and Al-Shabaab engaging in periodic clashes as both sides seek to maintain influence over the district and surrounding rural communities.

The latest reported attacks come as Somali security forces continue counterinsurgency operations supported by African Union troops and international partners. Military operations have intensified in several regions during recent months, although Al-Shabaab continues to demonstrate the ability to launch coordinated attacks against government positions.

Security officials are expected to assess the reported attacks and determine whether additional operations will be conducted in the affected districts. Authorities may also provide updates on casualties and damage once assessments are completed.

Local residents remain cautious as security forces continue patrols in parts of Lower Shabelle and Bay. It remains unclear whether the reported attacks will lead to further military operations or renewed fighting in the surrounding areas.

The reported overnight attacks highlight Al-Shabaab’s continued ability to target multiple locations across southern Somalia despite sustained military pressure. While the outcome of the attacks remains unverified, they demonstrate the group’s ongoing operational reach in regions that remain central to Somalia’s security campaign.

Lower Shabelle and Bay are strategically significant because they contain key transport routes, military positions, and agricultural communities. Continued insecurity in these regions can disrupt civilian movement, commercial activity, and humanitarian operations.