Al-Shabaab death toll climbs as Somali army gains success

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 56 Al-Shabaab fighters were killed in Lower Jubba, officials said, following an operation coordinated by the Somali National Army (SNA) alongside Jubaland forces, leading to a massive success.

The raid was conducted within Jamaame town, a stronghold of the group, leading to the capture of 20 militants on top of the deaths. Security sources said the operation was "meticulously planned".

American-trained Danab Special Forces participated in the operation, which was narrowed down to Muse-Haji, Arare, Kobon, Bangeni, and Maleyley villages in Lower Jubba. Officials said the military had gathered prior intelligence.

Sources say the militants have, for a long time, used these villages to target civilians. The militants, commanders said, relied on these locations to collect extortion payments and intimidate local communities.

The government offensive also tore down parts of the group’s infrastructure in the area. Jubaland officials said allied forces “destroyed” the militants’ hideouts in the targeted villages.

They described the action as a “significant setback” to Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity in Lower Juba. State media images showed compounds reduced to rubble. Al-Shabaab remains a major threat in the center and southern regions.

Jubaland regional forces have, for a long time, helped the country to handle the Al-Shabaab insurgency, but this is the first joint military operation between SNA and local forces within the region. The two teams have been fighting against each other recently.

GAROWE ONLINE