Mogadishu, Somalia – al-Shabab militants spent more than 45 days constructing a makeshift water bridge using containers, logs and other materials on the outskirts of Mahaday town in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region ahead of their latest offensive, security officials said on Friday.
The bridge, built in preparation for what officials describe as the group’s largest assault in years, underscores al-Shabab’s extensive logistical planning.
The militant group, which is linked to al Qaeda, has since captured several villages and towns in the region, intensifying clashes with Somali government forces and allied militias.
“The construction of the bridge was a strategic move, allowing them to transport fighters and supplies via the river more effectively,” a Somali security official who sooke on condition of anonymity said.
“This level of preparation suggests they were planning this assault for months.”
Al-Shabab, which has been waging an insurgency against Somalia’s central government for more than 15 years, has increasingly adapted its tactics in response to military offensives backed by the U.S. aistrikes.
The group has carried out bombings and raids across the country, targeting security forces, government officials, and civilians.
The recent offensive has prompted concerns about the group’s ability to reclaim lost territory, despite ongoing military operations aimed at weakening its influence.
The Somali government, which has been receiving international support to combat the insurgency, has not yet commented on the latest developments.
Al-Shabab has been forced to retreat from several key strongholds in recent years, but security analysts warn that the group remains highly resilient, capable of regrouping and launching fresh attacks.
