The Al-Shabaab militant group has seized control of Kudha Island in Somalia’s southern Jubaland State, according to the news portal Baidoa Online.
The island, situated in the Indian Ocean near the port city of Kismayo, fell to the militants following a massive assault. While the group has established control, there have been no immediate reports regarding the number of casualties.
Kudha’s proximity to the maritime border with Kenya makes it a vital component of a strategically significant coastal zone. The island has historically been a flashpoint, frequently changing hands between Al-Shabaab and Jubaland state security forces.
"The seizure highlights the group’s persistent capability to execute coordinated operations in strategic coastal areas, despite ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by Somali and allied forces," the portal noted.
Affiliated with Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), Al-Shabaab was founded in Somalia in 2004 and is estimated to have up to 18,000 active militants. While the group has been pushed out of major urban centers in recent years, it maintains control over vast rural swaths and continues to launch regular offensives to retake previously liberated territories. The fight against the militants is being spearheaded by the Somali National Army, supported by local militias, African Union peacekeeping forces, and various international military partners.
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Based on materials from TASS