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Uganda has denied claims made by the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab that more than 20 Ugandan soldiers were killed during an ambush.

Some shit you should know before you read: Since its emergence in the mid-2000s, Al-Shabaab (a terrorist organization affiliated with Al-Qaeda) has waged a relentless insurgency against the Somali government, aiming to establish a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Somalia. The conflict has intensified over the years, with Al-Shabaab controlling significant rural areas and carrying out frequent attacks on government forces, civilians, and international personnel. The group has also carried out high-profile assassination attempts, including multiple plots targeting President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in an effort to destabilize the country’s political leadership. In response to the persistent threat, some African nations, most notably Uganda, have deployed troops to Somalia under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a UN-authorized peace enforcement mission mandated to support the Somali National Army (SNA), secure key population centers, and combat extremist groups. These foreign forces have played a critical role in counterinsurgency operations but continue to face frequent ambushes by Al-Shabaab fighters.

What’s going on now: In response to Al-Shabaab-friendly media accounts claiming that more than 20 Ugandan soldiers were killed in an ambush near Bariire, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) has released a statement rejecting the claims and labeling them as propaganda intended to undermine ongoing military operations. In an official press statement released, the UPDF stated that it had, in fact, “neutralised more than 50 Al-Shabaab militants,” including three senior commanders: anti-tank specialist Mohammed Abdallah, IED expert Saddam Ibrahim, and infantry commander Abas.

The UPDF made no mention of Ugandan casualties and instead emphasized its resolve in the face of what it described as a disinformation campaign. “Al-Shabaab’s propaganda will not weaken the determination of the joint forces to liberate Somali communities from terrorism,” the statement read. Despite this, some reports from the ground do indicate that some casualties were sustained by Uganda along with the loss of vehicles.

This all comes as fighting continues to intensify around Bariire, a strategically vital town located roughly 30 miles from Mogadishu. The town serves as a vital junction connecting the Somali capital to Al-Shabaab-controlled regions in the southern hinterlands via key roadways and bridge crossings over the Shabelle River. Military analysts view Bariire as a linchpin in the ongoing conflict, as regaining control of it could significantly disrupt Al-Shabaab’s logistical networks and restrict their ability to launch attacks on urban centers.