Recent military operations conducted by joint Somali special forces, supported by foreign troops, have resulted in the reported deaths of at least 40 members of the al-Shabab militant group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda.

These operations involved ground and air strikes in Somalia's Lower Jubba region.

According to Somali state media, the operations occurred in Welmarow village near Afmadow town.

The Somali National News Agency, a state-run outlet, stated that the army successfully seized control of Welmarow village and Hagar town after eliminating al-Shabab hideouts and a weapons depot.

However, media outlets sympathetic to al-Shabab have reported that the group has subsequently regained control of Hagar town.

The operations involved the participation of Kenyan forces, as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (Atmis), as reported by Kenya's Star newspaper.

Al-Shabab currently holds significant territories in Lower Jubba and the entire Middle Jubba region in southern Somalia.

In August 2022, the Somali federal government announced a major offensive aimed at retaking control of territories from al-Shabab. These recent operations reflect the ongoing efforts to combat the presence of the militant group in the region.