Somali defence ministry rejects Crisis Group report on al-Shabab war

Tuesday July 7, 2026

Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s Ministry of Defence on Monday strongly rejected an International Crisis Group report on the country’s fight against al-Shabab, calling it flawed, unbalanced and a distorted account of the government’s counterterrorism campaign.

In a statement, the ministry accused the Crisis Group of downplaying the sacrifices of Somali forces and civilians while portraying al-Shabab’s tactical adjustments as evidence of improved governance or reduced coercion.

“The notion that al-Shabab has voluntarily become more responsive, more pragmatic, or somehow less coercive is not only false but an affront to the thousands of Somali civilians, soldiers, elders, religious leaders, women and children who have been murdered, maimed, displaced, and terrorised by this brutal terrorist organization,” the ministry said.

The ministry said al-Shabab had not chosen to reduce its brutality but had been forced to adapt because of military pressure from the Somali National Armed Forces, local communities and international partners.

“Every reduction in the group’s ability to extort businesses, terrorise communities, collect illegal extortion revenues, and operate freely is the direct result of sustained government operations and not a voluntary transformation by a terrorist movement,” the statement said.

The ministry said Mogadishu is safer today because Somali security forces fought to protect it, saying soldiers had died while liberating communities, dismantling militant networks, eliminating senior operatives and limiting the group’s freedom of movement.

It accused the report of attempting to humanize one of Africa’s deadliest militant groups by presenting tactical adaptation as evidence of improved governance or greater concern for civilians.

The ministry said such analysis risks advancing al-Shabab’s propaganda by sanitizing the actions of a group responsible for mass killings, suicide bombings, forced child recruitment, extortion, sexual violence and the destruction of livelihoods.

“Constructive analysis should never come at the expense of truth,” the ministry said. “Research institutions carry a responsibility to ensure that their publications do not inadvertently lend credibility to violent extremist groups or diminish the sacrifices of those fighting them.”

The ministry said the Federal Government of Somalia remains committed to defeating al-Shabab and praised the Somali National Armed Forces, security institutions, local communities and international partners for their role in improving Somalia’s security situation.

“History will remember that Somalia’s progress was earned through sacrifice and not granted by the goodwill of terrorists,” the ministry said.

The International Crisis Group report warned that political divisions and declining international support are increasing pressure on the Somali government and raising concerns about its ability to withstand future challenges.

The report said al-Shabab, an al-Qaida-linked group, made major gains in 2025, retaking much of the territory the government captured during its 2022-2023 offensive in central Somalia.

According to the report, government forces have since regrouped and secured areas around Mogadishu, but large parts of central Somalia remain under militant control, creating a military stalemate in which neither side can maintain a decisive advantage.

The Crisis Group said al-Shabab has adjusted its approach in areas under its control, including efforts to improve relations with local populations and reduce reliance on coercion. The report said those changes have helped the group strengthen its influence.

The report also said the Somali government is facing mounting political infighting as foreign assistance declines.

It recommended that Mogadishu overhaul military training, improve recruitment and retention, and involve federal member states more closely in plans to counter al-Shabab.

The Crisis Group also urged the government to support state-level forces capable of holding territory recovered from militants.

In addition to military reforms, the report recommended non-military measures, including encouraging humanitarian organizations to deliver more aid in al-Shabab-held areas to ease civilian hardship.

The group underscored a political solution remains the best path out of Somalia’s long-running insurgency and encouraged the government to continue looking for opportunities to open dialogue with al-Shabab.

The report said Somalia’s war against al-Shabab remains at an impasse, with the conflict shifting between government advances and militant counteroffensives without a clear battlefield resolution.