Somali families return to Lower Shabelle to find homes destroyed after al-Shabab retreat

Families in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region are returning to villages previously controlled by al-Shabab, only to face devastation. The Somali army, with African Union support, recently regained territory in this area, which includes the Shabelle River valley, a crucial agricultural zone. However, with vital infrastructure destroyed and farmland burned, the land struggles to sustain its potential as Somalia’s breadbasket. Army commanders say al-Shabab fighters planted explosives, flooded villages, and used tunnels to retreat during military operations. While some residents are attempting to rebuild their lives after displacement, others remain in camps, having fled both al-Shabab and inter-clan violence in newly liberated areas. For many, the uncertainty of returning to unstable villages remains a significant challenge. Despite ongoing offensives by Somali and AU forces, fears of an al-Shabab resurgence linger in these troubled communities. Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reports from Lower Shabelle, Somalia. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Somalia #LowerShabelle #AlShabab #SomaliaSecurity #SomaliaDisplacement #SomaliArmy #SomaliaHumanitarianCrisis #FightingAlShabab #AlJazeeraEnglish