The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has dismissed media reports suggesting its troops suffered heavy losses in recent clashes with Al Shabaab militants in Bariire town, southwest of Mogadishu.

Responding to claims made by Al Shabaab that AU armoured vehicles were destroyed and that AUSSOM forces were forced to retreat, the mission clarified that its troops, in coordination with the Somali National Armed Forces (SNAF), launched a joint operation to reclaim the area on August 1.

According to AUSSOM, the offensive resulted in the death of over 50 Al Shabaab fighters, with many others seriously wounded. The mission emphasized that its personnel remain firmly in control and that no AU vehicles were lost in the operation, as alleged.

“The joint operation has inflicted significant damage on the terrorists, and our forces continue to make steady progress,” said Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, the Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson (SRCC) for Somalia.

He reiterated that both AUSSOM and SNAF are fully committed to regaining control of Bariire and other areas still under Al Shabaab’s influence, with the aim of restoring peace and stability in the region.

The ongoing military campaign is seen as a crucial step in the broader efforts to support Somalia’s security architecture and deny Al Shabaab safe havens. Bariire, due to its strategic location, is considered a vital objective in disrupting the group’s southern operations.

AUSSOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Somali people and government, ensuring that territorial gains are accompanied by efforts to rebuild and stabilize liberated areas.

Al-Shabaab militants claimed they had killed more than 20 Ugandan soldiers and wounded 34 others during fierce clashes on Friday, August 1, 2025, in Barire.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), have been advancing on Barire for several weeks. 

According to a statement issued by the Al-Qaeda-linked group on Friday, militants ambushed the peacekeepers shortly after they entered the town, destroying five armoured vehicles in the process.

The insurgents said the surprise attack forced the Ugandan forces to retreat after hours of heavy fighting.