# Somalia Reopens Bridge Destroyed in Battle with Al-Shabaab

> Somali Guardian reported on 2025-12-06 that the Defence Minister inaugurated a bridge in Lower Shabelle, months after it was destroyed in fighting.

- By: Editorial Team, Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com/about)
- Published: 30 September 2026
- Format: News story (reported from one named public source)
- Publication: Somali Construction Review (https://somaliconstructionreview.com)
- Subject: Infrastructure and Services
- Tags: bridges, roads
- Web version: https://somaliconstructionreview.com/blog/somalia-reopens-bridge-destroyed-al-shabaab

## Key points

- Somali Guardian reported on 2025-12-06 that Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi inaugurated a bridge in the Sabid and Anole area, about 50km west of Mogadishu.
- The bridge had been destroyed months earlier during fighting between government forces and Al-Shabab militants.
- Somali officials said the restored link would help revive local commerce, improve movement of security forces, and ease transport of farm produce into Mogadishu, but the report does not establish what has happened since the ceremony.

On 6 December 2025, Somali Guardian reported that Somalia's Defence Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, inaugurated a bridge in Lower Shabelle, months after it was destroyed during intense fighting between government forces and Al-Shabab militants.

The bridge is located in the Sabid and Anole area, about 50km west of Mogadishu. According to Somali Guardian, the structure was unveiled on Saturday in a ceremony attended by senior government and military officials, along with Turkish diplomats.

Somali Guardian reported that the bridge was demolished earlier this year as Al-Shabab fighters retreated amid a joint Somali and African Union counter-offensive. The campaign, backed by US and Turkish air support, saw weeks of airstrikes and artillery bombardments, and much of the town was left in ruins as allied forces pushed to dislodge the insurgents.

Authorities say the bridge is crucial for reconnecting the capital with key agricultural towns in the fertile Lower Shabelle region. Somali officials said the restored link would help revive local commerce, improve the movement of security forces, and ease the transport of farm produce into Mogadishu.

Somali Guardian's report does not identify a contractor, consultant, funder or cost for the bridge restoration. It also does not establish what has happened since the inauguration, including whether the bridge is fully operational or whether expected benefits have materialised.

## Sources

- [Somalia reopens strategic bridge destroyed in battle with Al-Shabaab](https://www.somaliguardian.com/news/somalia-news/somalia-reopens-strategic-bridge-destroyed-in-battle-with-al-shabaab/) — Somali Guardian, 2025-12-06