Readiness and local security
According to a statement, Mahmoud spoke to troops from the 8th Battalion of the 60th Division and the 21st Battalion of the Gorgor Special Forces under the 1st Division, stationed on Barawe's outskirts. He called for vigilance, courage and unity, emphasizing that soldiers must remain ready to protect civilians and the country's security while operations continue.
Mahmoud urged the troops to take opportunities to reduce Al-Shabaab's capabilities and strengthen security in areas being liberated. He linked their determination, resilience and patriotism to the goal of a peaceful and united Somalia without Al-Shabaab.
The visit also included discussions beyond the troop address. Somalia's state news agency SONNA reported on November 3, 2026, that Mahmoud met Somali National Army officers, officials from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), traditional elders, district authorities and community representatives from Barawe and nearby areas.
Ugandan handover and planned troop movements
Somali Guardian reported on November 3 that Mahmoud's November 2-3 visit coincided with Ugandan troops handing over responsibility for the strategic southern towns of Barawe and Shalanbood to the Somali National Army. The outlet described the transfer as ending more than a decade of Ugandan military presence in the area.
The reported handover followed an AUSSOM notification about planned troop movements. According to The Somali Digest's November 3 report, the mission sent a letter dated October 31, 2026, with reference AUSSOM/HOM/22/044.26, informing the UN support office that it intended to withdraw its Sector 1 troops from the Barawe sub-sector.
Those troops were to take over four positions in Lower Shabelle being vacated by Uganda's bilateral force: Sabiid-Anole, Bariire, Awdheegle and Bulonagad. AUSSOM described the positions as "very critical to Mogadishu security."
Separately, Ugandan military spokesman Col. Chris Magezi announced on Monday, November 2, that the withdrawal of troops serving under bilateral arrangements would take effect immediately, Somali Guardian reported. Magezi said the phased withdrawal would ultimately include all Ugandan forces in Somalia, including those assigned to the AU mission, and was expected to finish by the end of 2027.
On November 4, Mahmoud met Battle Group 45 Commander Col. Justus Musenene and his staff at the SNA 08 Brigade Headquarters in Embresso, Barawe District, according to Watchdog Uganda. During that meeting, he praised the contribution of Ugandan troops serving under AUSSOM to Somalia's peace and stability.
Barawe's place in the campaign
Barawe is a strategically important coastal town in Lower Shabelle, where Somali government forces and allied troops have worked to contain Al-Shabaab's presence. It is also the official capital of South West State, although the state government sits in Baidoa. According to The Somali Digest, the town has hosted an AU mission sub-sector through each of the mission's successive names.
Somali and African Union forces captured Barawe on October 5, 2014, depriving Al-Shabaab of its last major port on Somalia's southern coast, The Somali Digest reported. The group had used the port to receive fighters and weapons and to ship charcoal abroad to fund its operations.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, has fought the federal government for more than 15 years. Its attacks across Somalia have targeted civilians as well as military positions and government institutions.
The federal government has claimed substantial gains against militant groups. Speaking at the 2026 Global Security Forum in Doha in October, National Security Adviser Ambassador Aweys Haji Yusuf Ahmed said government forces had retaken more than 55% of the territory previously controlled by Al-Shabaab and Islamic State over the preceding five years, according to Hiiraan Online's October 25 report.
Ahmed also said at least 1.5 million people had been freed from the groups' control, militant financing had fallen by 35%, and attacks in major cities had declined by about 89%. Hiiraan Online noted that the figures could not be independently verified and that no methodology had been provided.
