A Surprise Assault at Dawn
In the early hours of September 12, 2025, the town of Ceel-Dheer in Somalia’s central Galgaduud region came under a heavy assault by the militant group Al-Shabaab.
According to local residents and government officials, the attack began shortly after dawn prayers when heavily armed militants stormed army and community defense posts around the town. Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported, with residents describing the fighting as some of the fiercest in recent months.
Government Forces Push Back
The Somali government quickly confirmed the attack. In an official statement, the Ministry of Defense declared that Somali National Army (SNA) units, supported by local clan fighters, managed to repel the offensive.
“Our heroic forces inflicted a heavy defeat on the Khawaarij [a term used for Al-Shabaab], killing more than 30 fighters, including notorious commanders,” the statement read.
The government further claimed that several militants were captured alive, including leaders accused of orchestrating attacks against civilians.
Still, the defense ministry admitted to casualties on its side: six Somali soldiers were killed and fourteen others injured while defending the town.
Conflicting Narratives
While Mogadishu reported victory, Al-Shabaab issued its own version of events through online propaganda channels. The group claimed to have captured parts of Ceel-Dheer and killed government troops.
However, independent confirmation of these claims remains elusive. District Commissioner Cabdiraxmaan Axmed Cumar told the BBC that government and local forces were still in control of the town, dismissing Al-Shabaab’s statements as “false propaganda.”
“The fighting is ongoing on the northern edge of Ceel-Dheer, but our forces are holding firm,” he said.
Ceel-Dheer’s Symbolic Importance
Ceel-Dheer holds strategic value in Somalia’s security landscape. Once a stronghold of Al-Shabaab, the town was retaken by Somali forces and allied militias in December 2023 during a major offensive in central Somalia.
That operation — one of the largest in recent years — drove militants out of several towns across Galmudug and Hirshabelle states. The loss of Ceel-Dheer had been a major setback for Al-Shabaab, so today’s assault underscores the group’s determination to reclaim influence in central Somalia.
Human Cost and Civilian Fears
Local residents reported hearing a massive blast followed by hours of gunfire. Many families sheltered inside their homes while others attempted to flee toward safer areas.
Humanitarian groups have not yet released figures on civilian casualties or displacement, but aid officials warn that renewed fighting in central Somalia could worsen an already fragile situation for communities struggling with drought, displacement, and food insecurity.
Wider Context: Somalia’s Ongoing War
The battle for Ceel-Dheer comes at a time when Somalia is entering a critical phase of its long war against Al-Shabaab.
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U.S. and African Union forces continue to provide airstrikes, training, and logistical support.
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Somali government officials, including Defense Minister Axmed Macallin Fiqi, have vowed to eradicate the group from central regions.
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Despite territorial losses, Al-Shabaab remains capable of large-scale attacks, suicide bombings, and cross-border operations, particularly in Kenya and Ethiopia.
The group has also shifted tactics in recent years, targeting not just military bases but also government officials, hotels, and civilians in Mogadishu.
What Comes Next?
As of Friday evening, fighting reportedly continued on the outskirts of Ceel-Dheer. Government forces have launched pursuit operations to chase down retreating militants.
Military analysts say the attack highlights both Al-Shabaab’s resilience and the Somali state’s ongoing struggle to maintain full control of liberated areas.
The government insists the group was dealt a severe blow. But for residents of Ceel-Dheer — who remember the hardship of Al-Shabaab’s previous rule — the renewed clashes are a stark reminder that peace in central Somalia remains fragile.
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